Canadian Solar subsidiary CSI Solar has signed a 256 MW solar module contract with SOLA Group, a Cape Town-based 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 with 126 MWp and 130 MWp in size are located in South Africa’s North West Province. Both projects will be developed and operated by SOLA Group and its partners. Construction started in October 2022, and commercial operation will be in the first quarter of 2024.
Canadian Solar will deliver 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 percent.
The BiHiKu7 modules are suitable for utility-scale projects, with 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 compatible with most inverters and trackers.
These two solar power projects, which will cover approximately 430ha, will generate approximately 580 GWh of clean, renewable electricity every year, equivalent to powering 40,000 households and reducing 595 tons CO2 emissions each year.