INERGY – Hybrid solar system installation at university (Madagascar)
Description
- Hybrid solar system for C&I: 85 kWp – 45 kVA – 115 kWh
- Antsirabe, Madagascar
- Completion date: September 2025
Company description
As part of an initiative to improve access to reliable energy, INERGY Solutions and Fondation Avenir have combined their expertise to support the École Supérieure Spécialisée du Vakinankaratra (ESSVA) – a university based out in Antsirabe with its energy project.
Drawing on five years of experience in the solar energy sector and its partnership with Victron Energy in Madagascar, INERGY Solutions leveraged its know-how to design and implement a solution tailored to the institution’s specific needs.
This project highlights the importance of an approach based on needs analysis, customised solutions, and long-term support in order to effectively address the energy challenges faced by institutions and project developers in Madagascar.
The Challenge
The location of ESSVA in Antsirabe presented a significant logistical challenge, given that INERGY Solutions is based in Antananarivo. Consequently, coordinating teams, transporting equipment, and handling on-site deployment required a tailored organizational approach.
The scale of the project also necessitated the implementation of specific health, safety, and environmental (HSE) measures to ensure operations proceeded smoothly under controlled conditions.
The primary goal of this project was to mitigate the impact of power outages on the delivery of training programmes and the institution’s educational activities, thereby contributing to a more reliable power supply suited to its needs.
Renewable Solution
Implementing this system addressed energy challenges stemming from the site’s size and its significant electricity requirements. Consequently, the project called for a solution based on reliable equipment tailored to the facility’s specific needs.
The installation also aimed to optimise the use of available energy resources—particularly Madagascar’s solar potential—thereby leveraging a naturally abundant resource and helping to provide a power supply better suited to the site’s requirements.
To meet the energy needs of ESSVA Antsirabe, INERGY Solutions deployed a system comprising several complementary components:
- 78 PV panels (575 W) for solar energy generation
- 1 Fronius 15 kVA inverter, with a 5-year warranty*
- 3 Victron 45 kVA inverter-chargers, with a 5-year warranty*
- 4 Victron MPPT 250/100 V charge controllers, with a 5-year warranty*
- 10 Dyness 51.2 V – 280 Ah lithium batteries, with a 4-year warranty*
This system has been sized to ensure energy generation, conversion, and storage tailored to the site’s needs, while enabling optimal utilisation of the solar resource.
*Subject to the warranty conditions applicable to the equipment.
Project Financing and Costs
The implementation of this project was funded by the Avenir Foundation, which thereby contributed to the realization of this initiative aimed at improving energy access for ESSVA Antsirabe.
Project Outcome
The installation currently delivers the following performance levels:
- 166.11 kWh of solar energy generation per day
- 114.6 kWh of storage capacity
Beyond energy performance, the project yields tangible day-to-day benefits. Educational and audiovisual equipment is better protected, while a continuous power supply minimises class disruptions caused by power outages.
The institution thus benefits from energy infrastructure better suited to its operations, providing teaching staff and students with a more stable and reliable learning environment.
The project also aligns with environmental goals by utilizing solar energy for electricity generation.
The installation avoids approximately 34 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, thereby helping to reduce the site’s electricity-related carbon footprint.
Next Steps
Beyond the commissioning of the installation, INERGY Solutions handles equipment monitoring and maintenance to ensure proper operation and the system’s long-term viability.
This support is part of a long-term vision, with a view to upgrading and expanding the installation as the needs of ESSVA Antsirabe evolve.