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CHILE: JinkoSolar equips Chilean observatory with 1.7 MW of PV
Chinese photovoltaics (PV) maker JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd (NYSE:JKS) said Wednesday it has supplied 1.7 MW of its solar modules for a project near the La Silla astronomical observatory in the northern parts of Chile.
The panels are being used as part of the ongoing construction of a photovoltaic (PV) plant in La Silla, Coquimbo region. Its output will supply the astronomical observatory, which is owned by European Southern Observatory (ESO).
The utility-scale solar system will be the first to combine bi-facial and smart modules with conventional panels worldwide, which is expected to boost output by 5%-10% as compared to a traditional PV plant of the same size. The Jinko Maximized solar modules are equipped with a microchip to optimize power production from each panel by enabling it to feed electricity to the grid even in an event of malfunctions in other panels, the manufacturer explained.
“We have already shipped more than 600 MW of modules in Chile and we are targeting to reach more than 1 GW modules shipped in Latin America within this year,” JinkoSolar Latin America and Italy general manager, Alberto Cuter, noted.
ARGENTINA: Argentina province to develop 700 MW of solar with German firm
Argentina’s La Rioja provincial government said it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with German company Photovoltaic Park for the development of 700 MW of solar power capacity in the province.
The LoI, inked Friday, envisages the installation of three solar parks — two of 300 MW and one of 100 MW in different areas of the province in northwestern Argentina. The total investment is estimated at USD 1.4 billion (EUR 1.26bn). The solar plants could be fully up and running within two years, according to the announcement. They are expected to create 1,000 jobs during construction, as well as about 150 permanent jobs.
The province’s governor Sergio Casas noted during the signing ceremony that La Rioja has presented to Argentina’s president and the ministries of interior and energy a concrete opportunity for the province to produce over 1.4 GW across solar, wind and hydro technologies.
BRAZIL: Finland’s Trafotek opens 1st factory in Brazil to serve wind, solar
Finnish manufacturer Trafotek announced last week it has opened its first factory in Brazil to supply equipment for local wind and solar power customers.
Trafotek manufactures components such as reactors, filters and transformers for the energy sector.
The new site in Latin America, which began operations in late February, is based in Itu, Sao Paulo state. BRL 20 millions (USD 5.4m/EUR 4.7m) are being invested in the unit which is also Trafotek’s first manufacturing plant in the Americas, noted Invest Sao Paulo, a promotion agency which supported the plant.
Prior to its Brazilian factory, Trafotek imported products from Finland and Estonia. The European company decided to produce locally to meet the needs of its customers and benefit from the country’s tax and financial credit policies for domestic content.
Aside from Brazil and Finland, Trafotek has offices in Estonia, the USA, Singapore, Germany and China.
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