Panasonic Corp. has provided a stand-alone photovoltaic power package to the village of Yin Ma Chaung, in Myanmar, to provide electricity to its off-grid residents.

The power supply station is equipped with 12 Panasonic HIT 3 solar modules and can output around 3 kW of electricity. It also has 24 storage batteries (approximately 17 kWh). The station is designed to eliminate the need for on-site professional construction work, allowing an electrical contractor to install it.

Panasonic also installed a refrigerator in the village's meeting area to store anti-venom drugs.

The station is designed to eliminate the need for on-site construction work. Image source: Panasonic Panasonic says the power supply main unit acts as an energy management system to monitor electricity levels of the lead-acid storage batteries and control supply and demand, reducing battery deterioration. This reduces the life-cycle cost and maintenance hours for the storage batteries.

A video of the project can be viewed here.

The proportion of Myanmar that is off-grid is reported to be the highest among the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at approximately 68% nationwide. In rural areas, the proportion of its population without power is estimated at 84%.

The power supply station was installed as part of a corporate social responsibility effort by the Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development Project, supported by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under royal patronage of the Kingdom of Thailand.