SunPower and Apple partner to build two solar projects in China
SunPower Corporation announced this week that it plans to partner with Apple to build two solar power projects totaling 40 megawatts (MW) in ABA Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefectures in Sichuan Province, China.
The projects include Hongyuan Huanju Ecological Energy Co., Ltd., (Hongyuan) located in Hongyuan County and Ruoergai Huanju Ecological Energy Co., Ltd., (Zioge) located in Ruoergai County.
These projects, which are currently under construction, will be 20 MW each providing up to 80 million kilowatt-hours per year while also protecting the ecosystem.
The Hongyuan project already has 2 MW connected to the grid utilizing SunPower’s LCPV tracker. Completion of the projects is expected in the fourth quarter of 2015.
When complete, the two projects will be co-owned by Sichuan Shengtian New Energy Development, SunPower’s project development joint venture, and Apple.
The projects will feature SunPower’s unique “light-on-land” approach to solar photovoltaic power plant design and construction. This innovative dual-use approach means that pasture farming can continue while power is generated.
Tom Werner, SunPower’s president and CEO said:
“These projects will provide clean, renewable energy, help address climate change, and continue to provide agricultural benefits to the local farmers, while protecting the area’s precious land. We continue to value our partnership with Apple and commend them for their global environmental commitment.”
SunPower has provided its leading, innovative solar solutions to Apple on six U.S. projects totaling 90 MW in California, Nevada and North Carolina. These landmark China projects are SunPower’s first international solar collaboration with Apple.
Source: Press Release by SunPower. Image Credit: Apple, SunPower.
