Adani, Suntech team up to build world’s largest solar power plant

Adani Power is again teaming up with Chinese solar panel manufacturer Suntech, this time to build a 200 MW solar power plant in Tamil Nadu, which could be the largest single solar power plant in the world.

Earlier Suntech, had collaborated with Adani in setting up a small 9.3 MW solar power plant in Mundra, Gujarat.

It has now contracted to supply approximately 200 MW of solar panels for the Tamil Nadu project.

The project will be developed, designed, built, and operated by Adani Power.

Once the project becomes operational by 2016 as planned, the project would be the biggest individual solar project in the world, Adani said in a statement.

The 200 MW project will employ Suntech's Vem PV series modules, which produce high-energy yields for running utility-scale power plants.

The solar panels together will generate approximately 330 gigawatt-hours of electricity, which will power approximately 367,000 households and offset approximately 281,700 tons of carbon emissions annually, the statement said.

''After recently completing a 9.3 MW project with Adani Power in Gujarat, India, we're excited to be continuing our partnership with Adani Power, who has proven to be an important and strong partner to have in developing the solar industry in the region and in India,'' said Haibo Xiong, president of Suntech.

Suntech said the solar power modules have undergone a series of testing at the company's manufacturing facility and testing lab in Wuxi, China, in April.

''We expect that this 200 MW project is the breaking point for Suntech's presence in India as we continue to collaborate with Adani Power,'' Xiong added.

''The Indian government has provided positive incentive policies for solar development as it looks to accelerate its 2020 100 GW solar mission. We believe this landmark project will help showcase solar energy's capabilities in providing India with clean and sustainable energy,'' Eric Luo, CEO of Shunfeng International Clean Energy, Suntech's parent company, added.

Suntech's solar panel for Adani's 9.3 MW solar power plant in Mundra is expected to generate 13,000 MWh of electricity per year and power approximately 32,000 households in the Gujarat port city.

Suntech supplied a total of 36,470 modules to the power plant that has been developed by Adani Power Ltd.

Adani power is currently India's the largest private power producer.