(EnergyAsia, February 26, Tuesday) — Japan’s Kyocera Corporation said it will supply and install its solar power generating systems in Tunisia under a yen-loan project by the Japanese government through Itochu Corporation.
Starting April, Kyocera will install its solar power generating systems in 500 households in villages that do not currently have electricity in the three regions of Kef, Siliana and Beja.
These systems will charge storage batteries using power generated during daylight hours and make the power available for residential lighting and other needs at night. Anticipated benefits include new freedom to engage in nighttime studies and side jobs, improved quality of life, and enhanced growth and development for the villages.
This will be the first case in which yen loans will be applied to the delivery and installation of photovoltaic power systems.
Yen loans are a form of official development assistance (ODA) provided by the Japanese government. They are a mechanism for lending development funds to developing countries at low interest on a long-term basis.
Yen loans are designed to help developing countries stand on their own economically as they strive to become self-reliant.
Through the project, Japan’s solar power generating technologies are expected to contribute to the economic development of developing countries.
Kyocera embarked on its solar energy business in 1975, and in 1982 became the first company to successfully mass-produce multicrystalline silicon solar cells ‘3; the most widely deployed photovoltaic technology to date.
The company has continued to introduce high-quality products to the rapidly expanding markets of Europe, North America and Japan for more than 30 years.
Kyocera said it has been supplying solar power generating systems to villages without electricity in Asia and Africa. Such systems have been used in residential homes, schools, medical institutions, water pumping facilities and a wide range of other essential applications.