One of the first solar power projects under China’s ‘Front Runner’ technology demonstrator program was recently commissioned.
United Photovoltaics announced that it commissioned a 100 MW solar power project under the ‘Front Runner’ program using concentrated PV technology. The project was commissioned by a subsidiary of United PV – Datong United Photovoltaics New Energy.
The National Energy Administration of China has launched this program to promote manufacture and use of latest technology solar PV modules. Among the various technical parameters the modules must meet is that the conversion efficiency of polycrystalline and monocrystalline modules must exceed 16.5% and 17%, respectively.
The first phase consists of a GW-scale solar power capacity which shall include 13 individual solar power projects. The solar power park shall be located in Datong, Shanxi province. With a total investment of $1.6 billion, the park is expected to generate 1.5 billion kWh of electricity and offset 480,000 tons of coal consumption every year.
Recently, JA Solar announced that it will supply 420 MW solar PV modules to various project developers that have been awarded projects under the program.
JA Solar will be one of the investors and developers of the individual projects in the solar power park and will use 50 MW modules. The balance 370 MW panels will be supplied to 6 companies that will also develop projects within the solar power park; these include the likes of China Three Gorges Corporation, China Huadian Corporation, China Power Investment Corporation, and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group.