Name and Location
Soutpan solar park, Limpopo, South Africa.

Client
Special-purpose vehicle Erika Energy, whose primary stakeholders include SunEdison, Chint Solar, of China, which produces the photovoltaic (PV) panels, South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund, and the Kurisani Youth Development Trust..

Project Description
The project involves the development of a renewable-energy generation facility on portions 8 and 9 on the farm Zuurbult, in the Blouberg district municipality, in Limpopo.

The photovoltaic (PV) power plant will have a rated power output of 28 MW. The power generated from the plant will be fed into the high-voltage transmission grid through a new high-voltage substation.

The plant will incorporate about 100 000, 280 W imported crystalline-silicon PV panels, as well as locally manufactured tracking technology to improve the facility’s production potential. A capacity factor of around 21% is currently forecast.

The project was selected following the first bid window under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme, during which a total of 18 PV projects advanced to the preferred-bidder stage.

Value
The project has an estimated capital cost of R1.2-billion.

Duration
SunEdison broke ground at the Soutpan site on January 29, 2013. The solar park is expected to interconnect in January 2014.

Latest Developments
Power and automation technology group ABB has won an order to supply a turnkey PV power plant to the project, which will include design, engineering, installation and commissioning.

ABB will also supply a range of products and technologies, including inverters, protection equipment, switchgear, dry-type transformers, controllers and the supervisory control and data acquisition system.

The company will also construct a substation and provide the connection to the high-voltage power grid.

Meanwhile, SunEdison, in partnership with Chint Solar, the Public Investment Corporation and the Kurisani Youth Development Trust, has closed R2.6-billion in long-term debt and equity financing for two utility solar projects in Limpopo, which include the Soutpan solar park.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
ABB (turnkey PV power plant).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
SunEdison, tel +1 866 786 3347 or fax +1 443 909 7150.
ABB group media relations, Thomas Schmidt, tel +41 43 317 6568 or
email media.realtions@ch.abb.com.