Indonesia to build 33,000 more solar power generators

Jun 29, 2007 - AsiaPulse

The Indonesian government is planning to build 33,000 more solar power generators for 33,000 households living in remote areas, an Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry official said.

Demand for solar power generators is currently rising, the ministry's director general of electricity and energy utilization J Purwono said on Thursday, refuting an allegation that the government's solar power development program had failed.

"The program is considered successful. A number of district heads and governors have asked for more solar power generators," he said.

Solar power generators with a capacity of 50 watts each were considered suitable for use in the country's remote villages, he said.

He said it was very easy for villagers to use solar power generators because their storage batteries only needed refilling once a year.

Solar power generators have an economic life of up to 20 years.

"So, as long as the sun still shines, they can be used," he said.