Demand for solar power in Can Tho increases

According to the Can Tho Power Company, more than 100 customers have installed solar panels with total capacity of nearly 1,100kWh, an increase of 40 customers compared to last year. The total output of electricity produced by customers and sold back to the Can Tho Power Company amounts to more than 289,500kWh.

Nguyen Van Quang, Director of the Can Tho Power Company, said the city has ten contractors installing solar panels for customers. Information about the technologies used by these contractors is published openly so customers can choose the right contractors.

Many enterprises in Can Tho city have also installed solar panels.

Nguyen Minh Toai, Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said the department has directed the centre of industrial promotion and energy savings to work with the Can Tho Power Company to help businesses and households install solar panels.

The department has also directed these units to be responsible for control of equipment quality and installation of two-way electricity meters for customers.
The solar panels occupy a small area and the investment is not too high, so it is suited for families and enterprises, Toai said.

According to the Green Innovation and Development Center, Can Tho has the potential to produce solar power to meet 46 to 70 percent of local electricity demand.

The center's research found that Can Tho can produce up to 1.5TWh of electricity per year.

If the city uses agricultural land to install solar panels when no crops are being grown, the actual capacity will increase to 10.5-16TWh per year, it said.

This electricity output goes far beyond the city's electricity demands, so the city can provide electricity for neighbouring provinces to use.

In addition, the installation of solar panels on farmland could help farmers reduce energy costs and have more income.

Theo VEN