SUVA - Fiji's Department of Energy said on Monday that it has completed the installation of 2,400 solar home systems in the Northern Division of the Pacific island nation.

The systems have been installed in villages such as Cawaro, Vunikodi, Druadrua, Qaranivai and the Dreketi irrigation community at a cost of 5.2 million Fiji dollars ($2.97 million), said Energy Director Peceli Nakavulevu.

The installation of solar home systems in the maritime region particularly in the Lau group will also begin soon with the assistance of the Japanese government, he added.

"The Pacific Environment Community Fund is a commitment by the government of Japan to support project with the focus on the provision of solar power generation systems."

Nakavulevu said his department introduced this year a new payment system for households, in which they were required to pay 14 Fiji dollars ($8) per month.

Highlighting the importance of the solar home systems, the director said the systems are the only economical answer to remote rural electrification, describing it as environmentally clean and technologically simple and applicable.