Nicaraguan state electricity company inaugurates solar farm built with Japan's donation

Japan's ambassador to Nicaragua, Masaharu Sato, front center in white helmet, attends the inauguration of Nicaragua's first photovoltaic park, a joint project between the governments of Nicaragua and Japan, in La Trinidad, Nicaragua, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Japan's government invested $11.4 million dollars in the solar park of over 5,000 solar panels with a capacity greater than one megawatt that can meet the demand of more than 1,000 homes with monthly consumption of approximately 150 kilowatt-hours. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) (The Associated Press)

Japan's ambassador in Nicaragua Masaharu Sato, front left, National Electricity Transmission Company President Salvador Mansell, center, and Energy Minister Emilio Rappaccioli, right, attend the inauguration of Nicaragua's first photovoltaic park, a joint project between the governments of Nicaragua and Japan, in La Trinidad, Nicaragua, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Japan invested $11.4 million dollars in the solar park of over 5,000 solar panels with a capacity greater than one megawatt that can meet the demand of more than 1,000 homes with monthly consumption of approximately 150 kilowatt-hours. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) (The Associated Press)

Nicaragua has inaugurated a solar farm that the government says will benefit 1,100 homes.

The state-owned National Company of Electricity Transmission, or Enatrel, says in a statement that the array includes 5,880 solar panels. It says that Japan donated $11.4 million to build the solar farm and that Nicaragua invested $530,000.

Enatrel said Thursday that the farm will generate enough energy to supply 1,100 homes that consume an average of 150 kilowatt hour a month.