Moncada Energy Group, an Italian independent operator in the renewables field, through its local subsidiary Construczioni Moncada South Africa (Pty) Ltd, has completed the R1.75 billion Solar Capital De Aar Project, the largest thin film solar farm in Africa.

The solar farm, which extends over 270 ha in the Northern Cape and has 203 948 thin film solar panels, has an installation capacity of 85.26 MWp and has been fully operational since 15 August 2014 (Commercial Operation Date).

The project is part of the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and has a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement to feed 75 MW in Eskom’s grid. It supplies the Eskom 132 kV grid line and generates around 150,000 MWh per year – enough clean renewable energy to power more than 35 000 households. The project will allow a saving of CO2 of around 3 billions tonnes.

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Moncada Energy is also one of the major shareholders of Solar Capital De Aar (Pty) Ltd, the Cape Town based South African company that commissioned the project which broke ground in January 2013 and created more than 3 000 jobs during construction. The technology used for the project (amorphous silicon) is entirely made in Italy, manufactured in the PV (photovoltaic) thin film modules factory of one of the Moncada Energy Group subsidiaries.

Moncada Energy Group CEO Mr Salvatore Moncada welcomed the success and said: “The Moncada Energy Group has achieved a result of great international importance, despite the present situation of severe economic crisis and other challenges. The project provides the Group with a new considerable position in the global green energy market, and brings Italian technology around the world. Moncada Energy would also like to thank all the authorities and the South African financial institutions that made this great achievement possible.”