Fronius PV-Genset in Egypt

Until recently, the farming company LEHAA for Trading and Agriculture Investments relied entirely on diesel generators to produce electricity for its farm in Aswan, in the Nile valley. But in 2022, the agricultural giant discovered the advantages of using solar energy in farming: thanks to a 2 MWp Fronius PV-Genset – a PV system combined with diesel generators – LEHAA now generates 4.1 million kWh of solar power annually with the help of 20 powerful Fronius Tauro project inverters and will save around USD 9.5 million in diesel costs by 2047.

LEHAA specializes in growing dates, mangoes and potatoes, and also exports these crops to countries in the Middle East and Europe. To save costs and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels as well as to shrink its carbon footprint in times of rising energy prices, the agricultural company invested in a 2 MWp ground-mounted photovoltaic system on the eastern bank of the Nile River. Thanks to this initiative, over 90% of the company’s daytime energy consumption can now be derived from solar.

Maximum output at ambient temperatures up to 50 °C

Egyptian installer company EMS Solutions constructed the 30,000 m² PV system in Aswan. At the heart of the system are 20 Fronius Tauro inverters, each with an output of 100 kW. They chose Fronius Tauro inverters due to their unrivaled compatibility with diesel generators. Temperatures in the summer months of well over 40 °C require the entire photovoltaic system to have an exceptionally high load capacity. With its active cooling technology, the robust Fronius Tauro offers impressive performance in this respect too: the power components inside the inverter are kept at a constant, low operating temperature, which results in both higher yields and a longer service life.

More sun = more profit

Going solar comes with environmental as well as financial advantages for the system owner. LEHAA has been able to reduce diesel consumption and cut more than 2,700 tons of carbon emissions per year. More strikingly, the company has also drastically reduced its energy costs – especially thanks to the high yields of the system with Active Cooling Technology. Fronius Technical Advisor Ziad Reda explains: “For an enterprise like LEHAA, the performance of a system is particularly important. In the hot conditions here in Egypt, the Fronius inverters with active cooling technology make sense, because high yields can be ensured even on the hottest days of the year.” Thanks to their investment in photovoltaics, the company will save around 9.5 million US dollars in diesel costs by 2047.

Decentral system design with built-in monitoring

The PV-Genset system features 20 Fronius Tauro Eco Direct inverters in 100 kW variants which are arranged in a decentral system design. The seamless integration with DEIF plant controllers enables the PV-Genset to achieve unmatched efficiency levels. The Fronius Tauro not only comes with built-in monitoring (Fronius Solar.web) and easy accessibility via the ETHERNET connection, but also has built-in system protection such as AC & DC surge protection devices. Installed in the middle of the desert in the hottest area of Egypt, using premium products pays off as a long lifetime in harsh conditions is ensured by the double-walled housing and active cooling technology. Should servicing ever become necessary, repairs are easily accomplished by one person thanks to the simple and lightweight power stack exchange. Local Fronius and DEIF experts guarantee timely and reliable support.

International support and future plans

The project was supported by international initiatives such as the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The UN Green Climate Fund and the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund also supported implementation of the project through the Egypt Green Value Chain Financing Facility. The PV system will generate about 82 GWh of solar power over its expected service life and will cut carbon emissions by an amount equal to that emitted by 7,700 single-family homes in a year. LEHAA is already planning to expand their PV system to up to 4 MW in the future – another big step toward energy independence for the farming company.

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Solar Energy

Fronius PV-Genset in Egypt: more Sustainable Farming with Solar Energy

Maximum output at ambient temperatures up to 50 °C

More sun = more profit

Decentral system design with built-in monitoring

International support and future plans