The freshly-completed ‘Development of Solar Energy in Da Nang (DSED)” project has brought up many economic benefits, hereby helping Da Nang turn more environmentally friendly in the near future. Under this project, solar energy map in Da Nang at http://nlmtdanang.com.vn, and a solar rooftop mobile app, which are widely hailed as a reliable consulting source of information on solar energy for Da Nang people before they make a decision on the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels onto the Hoa Vang Medical Centre

Da Nang boasts great potential for solar energy generation, especially rooftop solar PV panel installation. Data published by the World Bank (WB) shows that the total potential area for installing rooftop solar panel systems in Da Nang is nearly 1,300 km² and the annual electricity generation can reach more than 3 million MWh. However, the actual installations of rooftop solar panels are still very modest for the time being.

By September, the total installed capacity of rooftop solar PV panels is about 20MW, which is just over 1% of Da Nang's technical potential. Deputy Director of Science and Technology Information Centre under Da Nang Department of Science and Technology Huynh Sang blamed this on the fact that leaders of agencies, and owners of businesses and homes across the city have yet to fully access to reliable information channels and tools on solar energy to make their investment decisions.

In attempt to address the issue, Solar Vietnam app makes its debut with the goal of becoming an effective and easy-to-use tool which provides information on rooftop solar energy in the most intuitive and understandable way for users.

Solar Vietnam is built on the results of researching actual data from service providers, the system of radiation databases in Viet Nam, and Da Nang particular, and the national power industry’s policies and regulations.

Head of the DSED project consulting team Le Thanh Tuan said Solar Vietnam is capable of analysing users-provided data such as roof areas and geographic locations, to calculate economic efficiency that the solar power system can generate, giving users a useful reference before pouring their money into the installation of panels.

Available for both iOS and Android, the app is free to download from Google PlayStore and Apple Store, with more than 110 installations till date.

Another useful product released within the framework of the DSED project is the map of Da Nang’s solar potential, currently operating at http://nlmtdanang.com.vn/, allowing public access to information on solar theoretical and technical potential and the data of solar energy projects already installed in the city.

As the overall demand for electricity is increasing, promoting rooftop solar PV systems is considered as one of the solutions to ensure electricity cost saving through self-supply, reducing the pressure on the national power grid and environment protection.

In the coming time, importance will be attached to continuing to raise public awareness about the benefits of solar energy and spread the message ‘Solar energy for a green future’.

By PHONG LAN- Translated by A.T