Gold Award in ‘Product and System’ category for pioneering Sri Lanka’s first semi-transparent Solar PV-powered Agrivoltaics Demonstration Project
Hayleys Fentons, Sri Lanka’s leading Solar EPC and MEP contractor was honoured with the prestigious Platinum Award for Sustainability Leadership at the CIOB Green Awards.
This recognition highlights its pivotal role in driving industry-wide sustainable practices, further solidifying its position as a market leader in engineering solutions.
The company also received the Gold Award in the “Product and System” category for pioneering Sri Lanka’s first semi-transparent Solar PV-powered Agrivoltaics Demonstration Project. This innovative project, developed by ADB and implemented in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), the Ministry of Power and Energy (MOPE), the Tea Smallholders Development Authority (TSHDA), and the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, exemplifies a cutting-edge approach to maximising land use by combining agriculture with renewable energy.
The project, based on an 800-square-meter tea estate in Hanthana, Kandy, is expected to generate over 100 MWh of electricity annually while empowering local tea estate workers with an additional revenue stream. This initiative addresses critical national issues of food and energy security, setting a precedent for future sustainable development in Sri Lanka.
“At Hayleys Fentons, we are truly honoured to receive the Platinum Award for Sustainability Leadership. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to setting high standards and driving meaningful change in our industry,” remarked Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our partners, who were instrumental in making the Agrivoltaics Demonstration Project a reality. Such public-private partnerships are a powerful model for addressing national challenges, and we look forward to continuing these collaborations to build a sustainable future for Sri Lanka.”
Roshane Perera, Executive Director and CEO of Hayleys Solar, the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons, emphasised the significance of the Agrivoltaics project: “The key innovation lies in its semi-transparent solar panels, allowing sunlight to reach crops while generating clean energy and maximising land usage efficiency. This concept addresses multiple societal challenges, including achieving both food and energy security in a land-stressed country like Sri Lanka. The success of this project paves the way for a more sustainable future for the country’s agriculture and energy sectors.”
Perera added, “Hayleys Solar is committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet Sri Lanka’s energy needs while promoting a sustainable future. Our projects are estimated to save over 202 million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.”
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Image Caption:
Hayleys Fentons team at the CIOB Green Awards Night
