The University of Belize is expanding on a multi-million dollar solar energy project at its campus in Belmopan. According to Selwyn King, Head of the Public Information Office, approximately two acres of land will made available for the advance technology.

Selwyn King - Head of Public Information, UB
"We have started infrastructure work for the building of the $20 million clean solar energy project that will be housed here at UB central campus in Belmopan. We are utilizing approximately 2.4 acres of land will be made available for this cutting edge technology. If you recall in March of this year the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Finance signed a MOU for a clean solar energy project with the University of Belize. I must point out that this project is funded by the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA and it is designed to introduce clean air energy into Belize by solar electricity generation using photovoltaic panels which are referred to as the PV system. This power generated by this system will be sold to Belize Electricity Limited and the gross proceeds from such sales transferred by way of grants to UB. So in a sense UB will have ownership and management of this system after I believe ten years free of cost. In a nutshell the national University is poised to become a leader in clean solar energy coupled with the fact that students will benefit from being exposed to this cutting-edge technology."

The equipment procured under the project will be maintained by the Ministry of Works and UB with necessary assistance from BEL and other related organizations.

LOVEFM

UB begins building $20M solar energy farm

Photovoltaic panels capture the sun's energy and turn it into useful electricity.

$20 million clean energy solar project at the University of Belize Central Campus in Belmopan. The university has set aside close to 2.04 acres of land for the large array of photovoltaic panels that will be erected at this state of the art facility.

The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Finance signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project with UB in March of this year.

The Government of Japan is funding the project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Photovoltaic panels will generate clean energy from sunlight to provide electricity, which will be sold to Belize Electricity Limited. The gross proceeds of the sales will be transferred to UB by way of a grant.

GOB will also transfer the ownership and management of the photo-voltaic system to UB free of cost after a period of 10 years.

UB is now poised to become a leader in clean solar energy generation while its students benefit from first-hand experience of this cutting-edge technology.

The Ministry of Works and UB will maintain the equipment, with necessary assistance from BEL and other related organizations.

Belmopan is regarded as a good location for solar energy since it enjoys on average more than 300 days of clear sunlight during the year.

The Reporter