Canadian Solar Bags 30 MW Capacity in Latest Solar Auctions in Japan

Canadian Solar has been awarded a 30 MW project in the latest round of solar auctions being held in Japan

Canadian Solar, one of the world’s largest solar power companies, has announced that it has been awarded a 30 MW project in the latest round of solar auctions being held in Japan, i.e. the 4th Solar Auctions.

The project, located in Maniwa City within Okayama prefecture, will be powered by high-efficiency Canadian Solar modules. Once constructed, the project will enter into a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Chugoku Power Electric Company at a rate of Yen 13.47 (USD 0.12) per kWh. The Company expects the project to reach commercial operation by 2024.

In addition to the 30 MW won in Maniwa City, the firm recently acquired five utility-scale solar power projects totaling 20.5 MW that have secured feed-in-tariff contracts and are expected to reach commercial operation in the 2020-21 time frame.

Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Solar informed that since the firm launched its Energy Business in Japan in 2011, it has completed the construction and grid connection of 39 solar power plants totaling 241.9 MW, making it one of the largest utility-scale solar developers in the Japanese market. “

We are delighted to announce that our team in Japan continues to build on our track record of success, sourcing high-quality development opportunities through acquisitions as well as government tenders, which give us further certainty on the outlook for our Japanese energy business,” he said.

Recently, we reported that the firm has been awarded three solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totaling 393.7 MW in two recent Private Corporate Auctions held in Brazil in the third quarter of 2019.

Canadian Solar will develop and build two projects, one in the State of Pernambuco (190.5 MW) and the other in the State of Ceará (76.2 MW). The latter will be an expansion of the existing Project Lavras which is under development by the company. Construction is expected to start in 2021, and the projects will reach commercial operation before the end of 2022. Once in operation, the two solar power plants will generate approximately 598 GWh of electricity annually.

In addition, the Company will develop and build a 127 MW project in the State of Minas Gerais, southeast of Brazil, which is expected to reach commercial operation before January 2023.