27 February 2012

Sonnedix completes 7.5MW solar farm in Thailand, largest First Solar plant in South-East Asia

Sonnedix Group of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, which develops, builds, owns and operates solar power plants globally, has completed the Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm in Khorat region, northeastern Thailand. The 7.5MW (DC) solar power plant, which is one of the biggest to date in Thailand, was built by Sonnedix with the support of Assyce Fotovoltaica and Ch. Karnchang Group using about 95,000 cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules made by First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which also provides engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) services.

Sonnedix owns more than 50MW PV plants in operation or construction in Italy, France, Spain, the USA and Thailand, and has several hundred MW in its development pipeline. “As a global solar independent power producer (IPP) whose management has an extensive track record of more than 15 years in Asia, we are confident that this project - our first to become operational in Thailand - will serve as a strong base for our strategy of developing and building utility-size world-class solar farms and large rooftop solar power plants,” says Sonnedix chairman Franck Constant.. “It is our view that solar PV should be a mainstream power source in Thailand,” he adds.

“The completion of the Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm is a considerable achievement and supports our commitment, shared with the Thai government, of reducing fossil-fuel dependence and greenhouse-gas emissions,” says Jack Curtis, First Solar’s VP, sales & business development. The Thai authorities are increasingly adopt utility-scale PV solar as a clean, affordable source of renewable energy, adds Kevin Berkemeyer, First Solar’s senior manager, business development.

Covering about 20 hectares, the Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm can supply enough electricity to meet the annual needs of about 5100 average Thai homes. It is expected to generate more than 10,500MW-hrs of electricity per year, offsetting carbon dioxide emissions of more than 6500 tons annually. A Buddhist inauguration ceremony took place at the power plant last week.

The modules in the project are covered by First Solar’s pre-funded module and recycling program.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

Visit: www.firstsolar.com

Visit: www.sonnnedix.com