Canadian Solar Has Supplied Solar Modules for Robben Island, a UNECO World Heritage Site

Canadian Solar Inc.is supplier of 666.4 kW of solar PV modules for the iconic solar project on Robben Island, near Cape Town in South Africa. Robben Island is a high-security prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This microgrid solar project has been designed and constructed by SOLA Future Energy, the EPC partner of the Department of Tourism, using CS6U- 340M Canadian Solar modules. The official solar system inauguration took place on Robben Island on October 19^th, 2017.  Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman, President and CEO Canadian Solar Inc. was invited as guest of honor by SOLA Future Energy and the Department of Tourism of South Africa.

The solar PV farm consists of 1960 Canadian Solar (CS6U-340M) high-efficiency modules with a total of 666.4 kW power supply. Robben Island uses almost 2 million kWh of electricity annually. This solar system will produce almost 1 million kWh of electricity annually, significantly reducing cost of diesel and its transportation cost to the island. 

“The microgrid on Robben Island is the largest combined solar and lithium-ion storage microgrid system in South Africa,” said Dom Wills, CEO of SOLA Future Energy, who were responsible for the design and construction of the project. “For Robben Island, we have chosen our partners carefully as we wanted to ensure highest quality, safety and sustainability. For this very reason, Canadian Solar as a module supplier, was the natural fit, making a difference in lighting up Africa and Robben Island together. With this PV installation, a reduction of the Island’s carbon emission by at least 820 tons can be achieved.”

“It is my great honor to have been invited to the opening of the Robben Island Solar Park, as this island is closely linked to the history of South Africa and Nelson Mandela and his vision for a better future. Canadian Solar would like to take our share in the promotion of solar energy and to pave the way forward to a greener and more sustainable future in Africa.” commented Dr. Shawn Qu.