In 2014, Harelec secured a contract to supply power to the Samaon Electric Power Corporation, through the construction of a 2.6MW solar power plant to be constructed near the Faleolo International Airport, within the Satapuala village area. Later, permission was given to add a further 2MW to the plant, bringing total system size to 4.6MW

Harelec were responsible for all aspects of this project; including obtaining all relevant Samoan permits and approvals, surveying, civil works, engineering, design and construction. Local electrical contractor McLean Electrical was engaged, and their team trained to provide construction and electrical assistance, and several Samoan locals were employed for labour and security; ensuring that we made a positive contribution to the local community through the creation of jobs and the stimulation of economy.

Construction

• Stage One of the project was 2.5MW, with construction commencing in November 2014.
• During November 2014, surveying, clearing and levelling of the site was commenced. Fencing was carried out and some roadwork constructed.The first container of components landed in Samoa with subsequent containers arriving during the following two months.
• The first 500kW was commissioned in March 2015, four months after taking control of the site.
• A total of 1 Megawatt was commissioned in April 2015.
• The full 2.5MW was commissioned in September of 2015, 8 months ahead of schedule, with the Samoan Prime Minister officially opening the plant on October 16th, 2015.
• Stage Two of the project began in June 2017, and included a second substation, office & workshop building, 88 additional inverters and 2MW of additional panels.
• Stage 2 was completed in May 2018, and at completion the plant was 4.6MW in total.

Components

The plant is comprised of:

• 14,000+panels, Renesola  & Yingli panels,
• 176 SMA Tripower inverters
• 2 padmounted substations
• Over 4,000 galvanised steel ground screws
• Over 10kms of underground conduit and cable
• 4 SMA data managers, control PLCs & dedicated data network
• High Voltage Metering & Revenue metering

Performance

In 2018, actual plant production was over 6.6 million kilowatt hours. The equivalent amount of power from Samoa's previously used  generators would have required 1.65 million litres of diesel.

Now that the plant has been fully completed, anticipated annual generation is more than 7,000,000 kilowatt hours, and the equivalent of 1.75 million litres of diesel fuel. Harelec continues to employ several Samoan locals for maintenance and security, and provides ongoing support for the Satapuala community through development of village infrastructure and financial contributions to the village support fund.