AU Optronics, Eskom wrap up 1.2 MW PV power project in S Africa

Dec 1, 2011 - Taiwan's flat panel maker AU Optronics (TWSE:2409) today said it had completed a 1.2-MW photovoltaic (PV) power project in South Africa in partnership with state-owned utility Eskom (PINK:ESKAY).

The project includes a 600 kW tracking system PV power plant at Eskom's Lethabo power station in the province of Gauteng and a 600 kW ground-mounted PV power plant at Eskom's Kendal power station in the province of Mpumalanga.

The two plants are equipped with AU Optronics' high-efficiency solar modules and can produce a total 2.2 million kWh of electricity, enough to supply 1,500 homes a year, the company estimates.

AU Optronics said this was its first project in the African market.

The company plans to boost its domestic production capacity to 50 MW in the first quarter of 2012 and will also increase the capacity of its Czech factory this quarter.

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