Canadian Solar Inc. announced that its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar Co., Ltd signed a 256 MW solar module contract with SOLA Group, a Cape Town-based independent power producer. The 256 MWs will supply the first two largest utility-scale solar power projects in South Africa, which are based on private power purchase agreements (PPAs).
The two solar projects are 126 MWp and 130 MWp each in size, located in South Africa’s North West Province. Both projects are developed and will be operated by SOLA Group and its partners. Construction started in October 2022, and commercial operation is planned for the first quarter of 2024.
Canadian Solar will deliver a total of 390,073 BiHiKu7 modules. The BiHiKu7 CS7N-MB-AG are bifacial modules based on 210mm wafers and have a power output of up to 670W and an efficiency of up to 21.6%. The BiHiKu7 modules are a perfect fit for utility-scale projects, with great savings on the mounting structure and cable at system level and reduce BoS (Balance of System) and LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy) costs compared to modules with smaller wafer size. The BiHiKu7 modules are also compatible with most inverters and trackers.
Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development.