Hayleys Solar, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 renewable energy solutions provider, marked a major milestone in its renewable energy journey with the opening of its 3MW Veyangoda Ground-Mounted Solar Project, with Hon. Anura Karunathilake, Minister of Energy, gracing the occasion.
The project marks the first of Hayleys Solar’s planned 300MW portfolio of ground-mounted solar power projects across Sri Lanka, further strengthening its commitment to expanding large-scale renewable energy solutions.
Hayleys Solar is part of Hayleys Fentons Limited, under the Hayleys Group – Sri Lanka’s most diversified blue-chip conglomerate with a business legacy spanning nearly 150 years across 17 sectors. The Veyangoda project reflects the Group’s continued investment in expanding its renewable energy footprint in line with its long-standing commitment to sustainable innovation and nation-building.
Located adjacent to the Aththanagalla Oya, the project was designed to withstand challenging environmental conditions, including potential flooding during heavy rainfall. Following a detailed assessment using historical data from the Irrigation Department, Hayleys Solar implemented an elevated solar mounting structure with increased clearance and safety margins, together with elevated inverter supports and customised cable routing systems to enhance the project’s resilience.
Highlighting the importance of private sector participation in Sri Lanka’s energy transition, Hon. Anura Karunathilake, Minister of Energy, said: “Building a secure and sustainable energy future for Sri Lanka requires us to harness the potential of renewable energy while encouraging greater participation from the private sector. Projects such as these demonstrate how investment, innovation and climate-resilient solutions can come together to support this national priority. We encourage more such initiatives that can strengthen our renewable energy capacity and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable Sri Lanka.”
Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited, said: “The Veyangoda project demonstrates our commitment to developing renewable energy solutions that respond to the realities of our environment. By integrating climate-resilient engineering with innovative land utilisation, we have created a solar installation that not only withstands challenging site conditions but also delivers greater value from the available land.”
The project comprises 4,143.36 kWp of DC capacity and 3MW of AC capacity, featuring 640W bifacial solar panels, and is expected to generate approximately 6,351,770.88 kWh of clean electricity annually – enough to meet the annual electricity needs of around 2,700 average Sri Lankan households¹ while avoiding approximately 4,339.53 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
With an average clearance of approximately 2.7 metres above ground level, the elevated structure also enables productive use of the land beneath the solar panels. As part of an agrivoltaic initiative, the space will support the cultivation of vegetables such as Scotch bonnet pepper and brinjal, enabling agricultural production alongside renewable energy generation.
Roshane Perera, Deputy Managing Director – Energy, Hayleys Fentons Limited, said: “Our Veyangoda project showcases how innovative solar designs can deliver multiple benefits from a single site. The elevated configuration enhances flood resilience while improving airflow beneath the panels and supporting greater utilisation of reflected sunlight through bifacial technology. The planned agrivoltaic initiative further demonstrates how renewable energy generation and agriculture can coexist productively.”
The Veyangoda project reinforces Hayleys Solar’s commitment to advancing resilient, sustainable and innovative renewable energy solutions while supporting Sri Lanka’s transition towards a cleaner energy future.
