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First Solar technology to power Namibian solar park

29th February 2016

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

  

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Swiss solar developer HopSol has selected photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer First Solar’s high-performance thin-film modules to power the Otjozondjupa Solar Park, in Namibia.

The 5 MW facility, which was expected to be completed in June, would be Namibia’s largest grid-connected solar PV plant and would account for 1% of the country’s total generation capacity.

The utility-scale project was being developed by HopSol Africa, a subsidiary of the Zurich-headquartered company. Powered by over 52 000 modules, the power plant would supply almost 14 000 MWh/y of electricity to State-owned utility NamPower.

“Our decision to select First Solar’s thin-film modules was primarily driven by the operating conditions in the area. We needed a reliable module technology that would thrive in the hot temperatures that are common in the summer months and also deliver energy in cloudy, low-light conditions.

“In fact, by our estimates, thin-film modules deliver up to 10% more energy in Namibia than conventional silicon PV panels,” said HopSol chairperson Robert Hopperdietzel.

The facility would use single-axis tracking technology to increase energy yield by up to 25%.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

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