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

October 9, 2026
Pan-African renewables developer Axian Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with energy aggregator and trader Africa GreenCo in Zambia.
October 9, 2026
Dos Grados has agreed to acquire three PV solar projects in Spain from Akuo, with a combined installed capacity of more than 500MW.
October 9, 2026
LGI, an Australian landfill gas and renewables company, has agreed to buy two operating solar PV power plants in Queensland.
October 7, 2026
Sonnedix acquires 54MW of Italian solar, while Sunrock and BGRE partner to assess 135MWp across Germany, France and the Netherlands.
October 7, 2026
US clean energy developer Clearway Energy has closed financing and started construction on a 650MW solar project in Missouri.
Premium
October 5, 2026
PV Tech sits down with Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, to discuss its plans for perovskite tandem solar modules and its roots in Silicon Valley.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
October 21, 2026
2pm AEDT
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland