Almost 20 million inhabitants populate Ivory Coast. Despite the civil war-like conditions from 2002 to 2007, Ivory Coast shows on one of the highest electrification rates in West Africa. Nevertheless, there are over 10,000 non-electrified villages in remote areas, such as in 11,500km2 area of the Comoé national park, the largest national park in West Africa. The territory of Ivory Coast is nearly the size of the Federal Republic of Germany.

"We have entrusted SOLAR23 with the planning and delivery of the independent power supply, particu- larly due to their already extensive project experience in Ivory Coast and a good knowledge of local con- ditions," said Professor Dr. K. Eduard Linsenmair of the University of Würzburg's Biocenter with a research focus on animal ecology and tropical biology (Zoology III). The photovoltaic system will secure power for the research station for the next 20 years and makes their diesel generator superfluous. From now on, the research station can produce energy without noise or exhaust fumes.

As a system supplier with over 15 years of experience in the field of photovoltaic battery systems, SOLAR23 has constructed, supplied and installed the components for the photovoltaic stand-alone system. The delivery included the complete PV system with solar panels, floor racks, inverters, battery chargers, industrial batteries and the three-phase power distribution. The timeframe for the project's completion amounted to six months, including production, shipment via Hamburg to Abidjan, import and installation. The Brown-Boveri foundation funded the project.

"The photovoltaic system produces over 60.000kWh of electricity per year and supplies the research sta- tion including its laboratory and residential buildings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even during the rainy season when there is weaker solar radiation," explains SOLAR23 project manager. The solar panels generate power via a three-phase inverter current, which is fed directly into the home grid and consumed by the electrical load. The excess power is charged into a battery so the power supply of the station is also guaranteed during the night. Thus, the research station is completely independent from the local power grid.

The components of the PV system were selected on the criteria to guarantee a long life service life of the whole system. The components were delivered from reputable manufactures such as SOLARWORLD mo- dules, SCHLETTER aluminum ground mounts, SMA inverters and battery chargers and BAE BERLIN batte- ries. The PV system including the civil works were realized by the partner company SIDEES from the Ivory Coast under the project management by SOLAR23. "The cooperation with SOLAR23 was excellent. It was a pleasure to execute this project as regional partner of SOLAR23 and we would like to thank you for the confidence they have shown us" said Norbert Botinhi, general manager of SIDEES.

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