Nextracker technologies will help maximize production for Saudi Arabia’s largest solar plant

Nextracker has been selected to provide smart solar trackers and TrueCapture™ technology[1] for phase one of the 450-MW Sudair Solar PV Plant—Saudi Arabia’s largest solar power plant currently under construction. When complete, it will provide solar energy to meet the needs of 185,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions in the country by 2.9 tons per year.

This solar plant is developed by Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia[2] through its subsidiary Badeel/WEHC, Saudi Aramco and ACWA Power. The consortium partners have entrusted the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract with the renewables arm of global construction giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

Commenting on the construction of the plant, Kashif Rana, Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Portfolio Management Officer of ACWA Power, said:

Sudair Solar PV IPP, which is one of the largest solar plants in the world, is a strategically important pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero commitment by 2060 as well as the nation’s ambitious target to derive 50% percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. We view Nextracker as being a key partner in delivering the most efficient energy production at the lowest possible cost.

Nextracker is a global market leader in yield-enhancing PV system technology and solar trackers, recognized for maximum energy production and efficiency and endorsed by Independent Engineers and Independent Certifying companies. The company’s bifacial optimized tracker solution and TrueCapture technology will help boost the energy generation of the Sudair Solar PV Plant.

Bifacial optimized trackers and TrueCapture technology are particularly well suited to maximize solar energy production on power plant facilities in desert environments. The desert has a very high albedo, or brightness of the ground. Over the life of a solar plant, this makes a significant difference in the total amount of energy produced, bringing great value to our customers with the lowest levelized cost of energy.

—said Marco Garcia, Nextracker Chief Commercial Officer

Before this project, Nextracker has already built a strong bond with the economy in Saudi Arabia. The company works with Saudi’s local steel manufacturing partners for the installation of domestic solar projects as well for steel export to support the development of solar projects around the world.

In 2021, Nextracker exported more than 20,000 tons of Saudi steel valued at greater than $30 million to help support the installation of the company’s solar trackers in many countries.

Nextracker Smart Solar Trackers Featured at Sakaka Solar Power Plant, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia
Nextracker smart solar trackers featured at Sakaka Solar Power Plant, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia.

Nextracker also used Saudi’s local steel manufacturers for all steel required to support the installation of Nextracker solar trackers and technology at the 405-MW Sakaka Solar Plant in Al Jouf, which required 14,000 tons of steel.

The Sudair Solar PV Plant is being developed in line with Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), aiming to achieve 58.7GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The installation of Nextracker solar trackers and technology is expected to start in the second quarter of this year.

References

  1. ^ TrueCapture™ technology (www.nextracker.com)
  2. ^ Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia (www.pif.gov.sa)

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