The cleantech consortium unveiled the off-grid solar charging station in Amman, Jordan as the first step in a broader strategy to address Jordan's energy security and dependency on imported oil.

October 31, 2011

Chicago, IL – A consortium of cleantech companies, led by AllCell Technologies, unveiled an off-grid solar charging station in Amman, Jordan. The station, which can simultaneously charge both a Nissan LEAF and multiple light electric vehicles, is completely off-grid and includes a lithium-ion energy storage system that is protected from the heat of the Jordanian sun by AllCell's cutting-edge passive thermal management system. Although located in the oil-rich Middle East, Jordan lacks fossil fuel resources and imports over 90% of its energy. Largely untapped to date, Jordan is blessed with exceptional solar resources, and the project was designed as a proof-of-concept for a large-scale infrastructure project to meet the government's goal of 10% renewable energy by 2020.

Nissan LEAF charging with 100% renewable electricity

HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan driving the solar-powered Nissan LEAF

The station consists of a 3 kilowatt solar canopy from Sun Phocus, AllCell's 25 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion energy storage system, and DBT's Level II charging station. Nissan provided an all-electric Nissan LEAF vehicle while Matra contributed two electric scooters, two electric bikes, and a pair of electric GEM cars (each GEM car is also equipped with a solar roof). Net Energy handled construction and project management and will be in charge of ongoing operations, and will be supported by USAID funds to support the training of Net Energy employees. The station is located at the El-Hassan Science City, and will be open for public tours and educational programs in the near future.

AllCell CEO Said Al-Hallaj, who spearheaded the project starting in the fall of 2010, is thrilled with outcome. "The combination of solar energy, electric vehicles, and energy storage holds enormous promise as a solution to multiple problems inherent in today's energy systems. The benefits include reduced oil consumption and carbon emissions, increased peak electricity generation, and grid-friendly load shifting. As the prices of solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles continue to fall, such a system will be economically feasible in the near future."