PLEEBO, Maryland County — The Pleebo General Market is now undergoing a major expansion of its solar electrification system aimed at providing full 24-hour electricity coverage across the entire market facility.
By Peter P. Toe, Jr.
The project was initiated in December by Maryland County District 2 Representative Anthony F. Williams and was completed in March. However, after completion, marketers operating within the facility reportedly appealed for an extension of the power system to cover all sections of the market, including previously unserved areas.
In response to these concerns, the project has now been expanded to include the entire market building, covering offices, warehouses, fish sellers’ sections, local agricultural produce areas, dry goods sellers, the “Happy Corner” women’s trading zone, and all upper-floor operations.
The upgrade is being implemented by Solar Kponla A+ Inc., a renewable energy firm overseeing the installation and system integration.
Speaking in an interview with FrontPage Africa(FPA) at the project site on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer Thomas Demawu explained that the initial installation, though functional, did not provide sufficient power coverage for all sections of the market.
He said the system has now been upgraded to a more advanced configuration to ensure full distribution and stability. “First installation was done, but more power was needed because other parts weren’t benefiting. We changed it now to a three-phase inverter, 16 kilowatts hour, a total of 48 kilowatt hour, to serve the market 24 hours,” he said.
He disclosed that the ongoing upgrading is undertaken by Representative Anthony F. Williams.
On Sunday, equipment arrived at the site, for the expanded solar system, including the installation of 22 solar panels rated at 650 watts each, 3 giant-sized batteries, A three-phase inverter system, 50 breaker panel boxes, Over 200 lighting bulbs, Multiple bundles of electrical wiring, amongst several other equipment.
According to the CEO, the system is designed with advanced safety and performance features to ensure long-term reliability and protection. These include lightning protection, short-circuit protection, human-contact safety mechanisms, and voltage regulation systems.
He further noted that the system provides real-time operational data, allowing monitoring of power production and distribution. The setup includes four major output channels, each producing approximately 2,429 watts, ensuring balanced energy distribution across the facility.
Demawu also disclosed that the system incorporates 977 internal components supporting the entire building’s electrical network, designed to enhance efficiency and stability.
He added that the only remaining component for full system integration is the arrival of an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), which will ensure seamless switching and integration of power across the entire building without interruption.
The system comes with a five-year warranty for both the inverter and the battery units. It is also designed for approximately 8,000 charging cycles, giving it an estimated lifespan of 15 to 20 years, depending on maintenance and usage conditions. With proper care, the system may last even longer.
The company is now conducting training for selected individuals who will manage and maintain the system, ensuring proper operation and sustainability of the installation.
Once fully operational with the ATS integration, the upgraded solar system is expected to deliver stable 24-hour electricity, significantly improving commercial activity, security, and working conditions for traders across the market, after which official dedication will be done.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
