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

November 13, 2026
Energy infrastructure contractor DS1 has been tasked with constructing a 300MW PV power plant in Lithuania, billed as the Baltic country’s largest.
November 13, 2026
Teraco has selected JA to deliver n-type solar PV modules to its 120MW Sediba solar PV project in Parys, Free State province, South Africa.
November 12, 2026
SMA Solar has narrowed its full-year guidance for 2026 towards the upper half of its previously raised range after reporting improved financial results for the first nine months of 2026.
November 12, 2026
Almost 2GW of PV capacity is to be put out to tender in the latest phase of Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy procurement programme.
November 11, 2026
South Africa registered 139 new solar PV facilities, with a combined capacity of 2,045MW, in the third quarter of this year.
November 11, 2026
A proposed 840MW PV project in southern England that would have become the country’s largest has been turned down by the UK government.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye