CAT unveils high-tech solar solutions in Sri Lanka

By Devin Jayasundera

In light of the Government aggressively promoting solar energy in the country, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), in partnership with local distributor UTE, unveiled its new state-of-the-art solar panels to the Sri Lankan market. 

The highlight of the CAT solar panels is that they promise an energy generation efficiency rate which is 10%-15% higher than those of their competitors. 

CAT’s collaboration with ‘First Solar’, one of the leading global photovoltaic manufacturers, has realised the production of the CAT trademarked ‘Solar Thin Film Tech’ panels. 

Unlike conventional solar panels which are based on crystalline silicon cells, the thin film technology panels are manufactured using a compound material called cadmium telluride. Currently the market is still dominated by silicon wafer solar panels while thin films have a growing share of 4.2% where an overwhelming majority of them are based on cadmium telluride. “We are the only ones who have this compound,” said CAT Microgrids Electric Power Division Asia Pacific Manager Adrain Constable, highlighting the unique selling proposition of the product. 

Silicon-based panels have already reached the theoretical efficiency limit according to Constable. Cadmium telluride thin film panels are seen as the next big wave of solar panels as the technology is still at a growth stage. “Cadmium telluride thin film panel didn’t advance until 2011. Then all of a sudden the efficiency levels took off.” Time magazine in 2008 heralded thin film solar panels as one of the best inventions of the year. 

With Sri Lanka’s hydropower capabilities already exhausted, the renewable energy front is betting on the potential of solar power given its abundant and consistent supply all year around. 

Currently Sri Lanka has only capitalised on a meagre 0.01% of its solar potential according to data from the Ministry of Power and Energy. The Government’s ‘Surya Bala Sangramaya’ program looks to generate 220 MW of renewable energy by 2020, which is 10% of the country’s daily electricity demand. However, critics point out that the goal is unrealistic since the cost of setting up a solar energy system is too steep due to high duty rates and installation costs, especially among the masses. 

“Solar has been extremely successful in the countries it has been implemented. There are not many countries around the world that have not considered solar. The reason for that is the cost compared to existing power generation is so much cheaper,” Constable told Daily FT. 

In reference to the long waiting time for the return on investment of solar energy systems, he stated: “The payback typically is five to seven years.” Anything below seven years is a highly cost-effective proposition.”

Addressing the event, UTE Renewable Energy Product Manager Murad Jayah said: “For larger companies this will be a great opportunity to reduce their costs and become carbon neutral. They can earn an income by renting out their roof space or even investing in solar power generation similar to mini hydros and selling the energy produced to the Government.” 

UTE also provides a 25-year warranty on its new solar panels.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe