REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SLEMAN -- Gadjah Mada University (UGM) planned to develop solar power plant in Karimunjawa. The development was realized with installation of 12 solar panels at eight locations spread across four Karimunjawa islands. Eight units of solar panels were used as Solar Home System and four others were applied for a water pump or Solar Water Pumping System (SWPS).
A member of Solar Power Program Team of Center for Energy Studies (PSE) UGM, Irawan Eko Prabowo, in District Karimunjawa, Jepara, said the installation of solar panels was done since 2014 in some public areas. The areas were health centers, schools, district offices, and places of worship. The placement of solar panels in Karimunjawa was an effort to support local electricity supply.
"The diesel power plant requires large panels, but its supply was limited and expensive. Therefore we develop solar power plants because this area has potential for a large sunlight," he said.
Karimunjawa Islands have potential of up to 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. 12 solar panels could produce electricity for 6,400 watt. So that in a day, it could produce 28.8 kWh of electricity.
The solar power plant development was not only expected to supply the electrical energy needs of local community, but also to support the tourism sector in Karimunjawa.