• The expansion phase added 11MW more PV capacity and represents the second expansion phase of the project
  • The energy storage system has a storage capacity of 12.6MWh and 23MWp output
Solar panel manufacturer Philadelphia Solar has reportedly announced to have begun commercial operation of an expansion phase to one of the largest solar-plus-storage facility in the MENA region. As per trusted sources, the energy storage system has a storage capacity of 12.6MWh and 23MWp output. Reportedly, the expansion phase added 11MW more PV capacity and represents the second expansion phase of the project. The capacity was added to the previously installed 12MWp Lithium Ion energy storage system, cite reliable sources. According to a press release by Philadelphia Solar, a ceremony to mark the Commercial Operation Date was held on February 18 at the facility in Al Mafraq. Sources familiar with the development claim that the ceremony was attended by the representatives of Irbid District Electricity Company, Philadelphia Solar, Chief Commissioner of Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) Farouq Hiyari, and other dignitaries. If sources are to be believed, Philadelphia Solar used its own single-axis trackers and 320Wp polycrystalline PV modules to set up the new solar part of the facility and add to 48,000 250Wp modules which have already been installed. The storage system mitigates the impacts of peak demand from consumers on the network as it will perform peak shaving tasks as well as load shifting to lessen the strain on local power grid. The system would also provide smoothing to integrate the generation of solar to the grid. Based in Jordan’s capital Amman, Philadelphia Solar had established a special purpose vehicle (SPV) Al Badiya to build the facility. Reportedly, Al Badiya inked a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) in August 2017 with power distribution firm Irbid District Electricity Company for output from the combined solar-plus-storage system.