NEXTracker, a Flex company, has signed a master services agreement (MSA) to deliver solar tracker technology to Biosar, part of Aktor Construction Group and an EPC firm in the Western Hemisphere.
The 191.5 MW solar power plant, Pirapora 1, is being constructed by Biosar for EDF Energies Nouvelles and Canadian Solar in the state of Minas Gerais.
The Pirapora 1 project is one of the largest solar projects in Brazil and one of the few utility-scale projects to meet the FINAME accreditation criteria of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).
Brazil has set the goal of obtaining 23 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. In 2015, Brazil’s federal energy planning authority (EPE) doubled its forecast for installed photovoltaic capacity to 7GW by 2024, owing to the country’s initial solar auction results.
Once completed, the Pirapora 1 project will generate391,263 MWh per year, the company said.
NEXTracker will supply Biosar with advanced tracker technology, design consultation, installation and commissioning support. Project completion is anticipated in Q3 of 2017.
The modules to be used in the Pirapora project are also produced by Flex and Canadian Solar, at a manufacturing facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
NEXTracker CEO Dan Shugar, said, “We’re seeing that project financing in Brazil is working and truly supporting the growth of the renewable energy industry. In addition to serving this important market, we’re delighted to be contributing to the Brazilian economy by spurring the creation of new solar jobs.”
“NEXTracker’s deep solar experience and technological market leadership are an ideal fit for new solar deployments in Brazil – a nation that has set very ambitious PV deployment targets,” said Aris Polychronopoulos, general manager of Biosar.
“NX Horizon is not only FINAME-compliant, which is essential for Brazil solar market readiness – its advanced product features, quality and reliability maximize energy yield and reduce both installation and operating costs for our customers’ projects,” Polychronopoulos added.
Rajani Baburajan