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Installation of Solar Panels at Tonga 's Royal Palace
Description/achievement of initiative

The Pacific Islands Development Forum is partnering with Government of Tonga and Solar Head of State, to install solar panels on the residence of the King . This is part of the island’s target to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 . This project will be a symbolic statement of intent by the government, and also a test project to encourage more future grid-connected solar projects on the island.

Implementation methodologies

Pacific Islands Development Forum and Solar Head of State with its will install a rooftop grid-connected solar photovoltaic system using panels donated.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

The installation of this project will use a local installation company and some off-island experts will be brought in to provide training. Training in maintenance is also given to grounds staff of Government House. Local services have been used in every possible aspect of the project, and the training should increase capacity of installation crew for future projects.

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) has been tasked to support a paradigm shift to a low carbon future. Noting the PIDF Leaders’ concerns on the impacts of climate change and their support for the Paris Agreement, the PIDF Secretariat together with the Solar Head of State (SHOS) a non-profit coordinates the installation. Donations (financial and in-kind) are arranged by the PIDF and SHOS working with the Government of Tonga to install the test project and ensure media focus.

Partner(s)

Pacific Islands Development Forum, Solar Head of States, Government of Tonga
Progress reports
Goal 7
7.1 - By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 - By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a - By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
7.b - By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support
Goal 17
17.6 - Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism
17.16 - Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries
12/2019
Installation of solar panels at Kings Residence
Financing (in USD)
90,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
Monitoring and Evaluation and Communication PIDF
Staff / Technical expertise
Project Management SHoS

Basic information
Time-frame: 26 November 2017 - 10 December 2019
Website
Partners
Pacific Islands Development Forum, Solar Head of States, Government of Tonga
Countries
Contact information
Viliame Kasanawaqa, Team Leader Policy Research and Evaluation, viliame.kasanawaqa@pidf.int
United Nations