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Canadian Solar, a leading solar PV manufacturer and project developer, has recently entered into a significant agreement with SOLA Group, a vertically integrated independent power producer headquartered in Cape Town. The contract entails the supply of 256 MW of solar PV through Canadian Solar’s majority-owned subsidiary, CSI Solar. These modules will be deployed in two utility-scale solar projects in South Africa, which are notably the largest of their kind based on private power purchase agreements. This collaboration marks a noteworthy milestone in the renewable energy sector.

Spanning approximately 430 hectares in South Africa’s North West Province, the two projects boast capacities of 126 MWp and 130 MWp, respectively. These projects have been meticulously developed by SOLA Group in collaboration with its esteemed partners and will be operated by the same.

Commencing in October of the current year, construction is underway with a target for commercial operation in the first quarter of 2024. Once operational, these projects are projected to collectively produce approximately 580 GWh of solar electricity annually. This output is anticipated to power 40,000 households and result in an annual reduction of 595 tons of CO2 emissions.

These groundbreaking solar projects in South Africa represent a significant milestone as they are fully owned, financed, constructed, operated, and managed by South African entities. The adoption of a private power model through bilateral agreements offers end-users the advantages of competition, choice, and a more diverse contribution to the power system, according to Dom Wills, CEO of SOLA Group. Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, praised this achievement as an important step towards South Africa’s goal of enabling more flexible electricity trading by opening up the grid.

Under the terms of the agreement, Canadian Solar is set to provide 390,073 units of its cutting-edge BiHiKu7 series bifacial modules. These modules utilize 210 mm wafers and boast an impressive power output of up to 670W. Specifically designed for utility-scale projects, Canadian Solar emphasizes that these modules achieve an efficiency rating of up to 21.6%.