The Solar Era project in Sierra Leone consists of a two-phase solar energy project. The first phase corresponds to an established 5 MW solar Photovoltaic (PV) project with a 50-70 acres footprint near the small town of Yamandu, alongside the Bo-Kenema highway. The second phase involves the development of an additional 20 MW solar PV – Hybrid project, including a potential diesel back-up and potential energy storage facility, south of the phase I facility, across the Bo-Kenema highway. The ARRC Task Force was contacted in 2023 to align the project with IFC PS6 given that the project is located within the Critically Endangered western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) range.
