Sunshine is our business.

Solar energy aids in spreading new agricultural methods

In 2009, Centrosolar donated 18 solar modules to the pilot installation of the Urbis Foundation in Togo. The Foundation for the Environment and International Solidarity was founded by the Munich couple Dr. Manfred and Inge Epp in 2002. The photovoltaic installation is located on the Foundation’s training farm near the village of Koboyo in central Togo. The aim of the farm is to make new methods of cattle breeding, as well as fruit tree and vegetable cultivation more widespread throughout the region.
The new solar installation drives the pump of the irrigation system, powers a hatchery and supplies electricity for lighting in classrooms, residential buildings and cafeterias at the farm. 95% of the materials required for the 5.4 kWp stand-alone system came from donations from seven German companies. Centrosolar supports the project with ten thin-film and eight crystalline solar modules. The PV manufacturer also provided practical assembly assistance on site.

Active exchange between Germany and Togo

However, support extends far beyond the donation. “We are in regular contact with the training farm, provide support if required and receive weekly evaluations of the yields from the thin-film installation. As we have also built an almost identical installation in a test rig in Paderborn, we are in an ideal position to compare the installations and evaluate the results. We are therefore able to gain insights into the performance of thin-film modules at high ambient temperatures,” says Willi Ernst, member of the Centrosolar Group AG Advisory Council.

You can find further information on the Urbis Foundation and the project in Togo at: http://www.urbis-foundation.de/