Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ) subsidiary CSI Solar signed a 256 megawatt (MW) solar module contract with Cape Town-based power producer, SOLA Group today.
The 256 megawatts will supply the first two largest utility-scale solar power projects in South Africa. Each of these are based on private power purchase agreements (PPA). The projects are 126 megawatt peak and 130 megawatt peak each in size, and are located in South Africa’s North West Province. SOLA Group developed and will operate both projects. Construction commenced in October 2022 with operation following in Q1 2024.
“These are the first solar projects of this scale in South Africa that are based on private power purchase agreements,” said Dom Wills, CEO of SOLA Group. “It’s also a great plus for the country that these projects are 100 per cent South African owned, financed, constructed, operated and managed. We hope the model of private power through bilateral agreements becomes more widely adopted.
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Two solar power projects over 430 hectares of land
Canadian Solar intends to deliver 390,073 of its BiHiKu7 modules. These devices are bifacial modules based on 210 millimetre wafers with a power output of up to 670 watts and an efficiency of 21.6 per cent. These modules also have compatibility with most inverters and trackers.
The two solar power projects will cover approximately 430 hectares and generate approximately 580 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity per year. That’s the functional equivalent of powering 40,000 households and reducing 595 tons of CO2 annually.
Founded in Guelph, Ontario 2001, Canadian Solar manufactures solar photovoltaic modules, solar energy and battery storage solutions. It also helps develop utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects. Canadian Solar delivered approximately 82 gigawatts solar photovoltaic modules to customers around the world in that time. The SOLA Group, in contrast, is a vertically integrated clean energy power producer in Africa.
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