It is not always good which comes out of Jerusalem and Palestine. Now, solar energy may make a small contribution to further cooperation and understanding, coming from the West Bank to Jerusalem: In the vicinity of the lowest city in the world one of the largest solar power stations in the Middle East produces clean electricity – with inverters by KACO new energy.
It was the moon god Jarich who lent his name to the city, but it is the sun that is responsible for a new record there: In Jericho, 250 meters below sea level, the “Dead Sea Photovoltaic Power Generating Plant” PV-project was commissioned in September, which coincidentally makes the world’s lowest city the location for the biggest Palestinian PV installation, delivering 710 kW power. Donated by the “Future for Palestine” organisation, it supplies the Palestinian population in Jerusalem with clean, autonomous power.
As general contractor, the Palestinian company Msader for Energy System Co., Tulkarem, was responsible for the complete project. The hot and dry climate in the Jericho valley near the Dead Sea demands equipment that will withstand the hardest strains. To securely deliver the solar electricity to the grid, Msader relies on German solar PV inverter technology by KACO new energy: 13 Powador 60.0 TL3 inverters provide the power from the sun. For many years the company’s inverters have proven themselves in the most diverse climates such as the Negev desert, Southern Italy or the heart of South Africa – all are as similarly demanding as the Dead Sea region.
As far as photovoltaics is concerned, Abdelnaser Dwaikat, Managing Director of Msader, is pretty optimistic for his country: “There is a huge potential for investment in solar energy and the dedication of the Palestinian Energy Authority for this sector.” Zouhair Kefi, CEO of KACO new energy Dubai, is delighted by the lighthouse project, too: “The sun is the true wealth here. And affordable energy for everyone is one of the founding stones of a peaceful future. We want to do our bit with reliable products.”
About KACO new energy:
KACO new energy is amongst the world’s largest manufacturers of solar inverters. With 850 employees and offices in 16 countries, the company offers inverters for every array size from the smallest homes to the largest solar farms of hundreds of Megawatts. KACO new energy is based in Neckarsulm, near Stuttgart, Germany and the production facilities there, in the Americas and Asia have supplied approx. 7 Gigawatts of inverters since 1999. The Company was the first inverter manufacturer to achieve fully carbon-neutral production and is rapidly heading towards power self-sufficiency. KACO new energy also supplies energy storage systems and battery inverters, as well as inverters for combined heat and power plants and CPV systems. KACO new energy is celebrating the Centenary of the original company in 2014.
