Canadian Solar breaks into Africa with 6MW project completed in Namibia

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Namibia has some of the highest irradiation levels in the World at 3000 kWh/m² over a wide-area of the country, but had less than 40MW of cumulative solar capacity installed at the end 2017. Image: IRENA

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar has completed construction and started commercial operation of a 6MWp PV power project in Keetmanshoop, Namibia, its first project in Africa. 

The SMSL said that the plant became operational on November 27, 2017, with an expected annual electricity generation of 14.6GWh, using 18,480 of its CS6U modules. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The plants electricity is being purchased by Namibia Power Corporation (Proprietary) Ltd. under a 25-year Renewable Energy feed-in-tariff (REFIT) contract at the rate of NAD1.37 (US$0.10) per kWh.
Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar said, “Africa is part of our global target markets and we will continue to build solar projects there to deliver more clean, safe and affordable solar energy to the continent.”

Namibia has some of the highest irradiation levels in the World at 3000 kWh/m² over a wide-area of the country, but had less than 40MW of cumulative solar capacity installed at the end 2017. 

Read Next

September 8, 2026
Renewables investment platform Qualitas Energy has bought independent power producer (IPP) Cero Generation’s 5.8GW European solar PV and battery energy storage project portfolio.
September 8, 2026
Solarworld Energy has partnered with EPC and solar developer Rays Power Infra to develop a 2.4GW solar PV cell manufacturing facility.
September 8, 2026
Intertek CEA’s Jordan Wilson discusses how buyers can protect themselves from the ramp-up risk that can emerge after new PV manufacturing facilities begin production.
September 8, 2026
Enerparc AG, one of Europe’s best-known solar project developers, has initiated insolvency proceedings in a Hamburg court.
September 7, 2026
MN8 Energy, Eos Energy and Google will develop a solar-storage project in West Virginia supplying clean power to PJM and Google data centres.
September 7, 2026
Solar PV module prices broadly fell in Europe in August 2026, as demand dipped below its historic average, according to sun.store's monthly PV Index.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK