These packages will be used for the first phase of two SunPower C7 Tracker projects, which includes a 20-MW project in Saihan and a 100-MW project in Wuchuan. Both are located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia (pictured here), and completion is expected in 2015.
SunPower Corp., a solar technology and energy services provider, sold more than 70 MW of cell packages to the Huaxia Concentrated Photovoltaic Power Co. joint-venture (JV) in Inner Mongolia, China.
These packages will be used for the first phase of two SunPower C7 Tracker projects, which includes a 20-MW project in Saihan and a 100-MW project in Wuchuan. Both are located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, and completion is expected in 2015.
The definitive agreement for the Huaxia Concentrated Photovoltaic Power JV was initially signed in December 2012, and officially approved and registered in November 2013. The JV includes SunPower, Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor Co., Inner Mongolia Power (Group) Co. and Hohhot Jinqiao City Development Co.
Its focus is to manufacture and deploy SunPower’s proprietary C7 concentrator technology in the Chinese market. To date, a 300-MW C7 receiver manufacturing facility has been set up in Jinqiao Development Zone, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, and a 50-MW production line is now in operation.
The C7 combines single-axis tracking technology with rows of parabolic mirrors that reflect light onto SunPower’s high efficiency, third-generation Maxeon solar cells with efficiencies of up to 24.5 percent. These mirrors will reduce the number of cells required to generate electricity, lowering the levelized cost of energy when compared to competing technologies.
For example, a 400-MW C7 power plant requires less than 70 MW of SunPower cells. Through significant localization of C7 manufacturing and supply chain, and deployment of the C7 for large-scale power plant projects, it is expected that this venture will facilitate the development of a low cost, high volume supply chain and accelerate the cost reduction roadmap of this product.
The capacity of cell packages and power plant projects in this release are described in approximate megawatts on a direct current (dc) basis.
Want more? Try these articles:
SunPower Corp.-Powered KB Homes Arrive In Arizona
SunPower Strengthens Solar’s Sense Of Service
SunPower Corp. Helps First Costco Store Install Rooftop Solar In Japan