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Tokelau gets $7m for solar power stations

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Tokelau gets $7m for solar power stations

3News NZ

The systems will be installed on each of Tokelau's three main atolls

The systems will be installed on each of Tokelau's three main atolls

The Government is giving tiny Tokelau $7 million to help it install three solar power systems.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says they're going to provide nearly 100 percent of the power for Tokelau's population of just over 1400.

"Many of our Pacific neighbours are reliant on expensive imported diesel for electricity generation and this is a barrier to developing their economies," he said.

The systems will be installed on each of Tokelau's three main atolls.

New Zealand company Powersmart is working on the project with IT Power Australia.

NZN

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Comments

13/08/2012 3:59:46 p.m.

Sonia wrote:

Well done Powersmart! Great to see NZ companies helping out their neighbors to a more environmentally and economically viable future. The people of Tokulau must be excited at the prospect of being almost diesel free. It sure is a shame to see Mike's uninformed and negative comment. Yet I suppose we need comments like this from people like Mike to help the forward thinkers in the world come up with life changing ideas such as this. Congratulations to Powersmart and Tokulau!

11/08/2012 6:46:27 a.m.

Shane wrote:

Hey Mike. Every power generation technology has downsides. Solar just has the fewest. Plus it is more economic and much greener then the existing diesel generators on Tokelau. The batteries, if installed to the standards, require a bunding area to contain and neutralise any acid spill. The batteries are recycled at end of life. The maintenance of solar panels is the lowest of any generation technology. The derate factor is 10% over 25 years. Regular tropical rain cleans the panels. Let's be positive about a nation taking a step in the right direction both economically and environmentally. Your post has big oil troll written all over it...

10/08/2012 8:20:37 a.m.

Mike wrote:

Solar power requires power storage.

How enviroment friendly will be the batteries with potential acid leaks, plus toxic metals, and the batteries will need regular replacement?

Even the solar cells require maintenence and cleaning, plus deteriate over time. Its not as green as claimed.