Jinko Solar, a global leader in the supply and manufacture of solar panels and storage solutions, recently announced a contract to supply Algeria with 150 megawatts of solar panels to support the country’s groundbreaking renewable energy projects.
In collaboration with the Algerian energy company Amimer Energie Spa Officielle, Jinko Solar will supply its flagship N-Type TOPCon modules to two crucial solar projects on opposite ends of the country: the 100 megawatt Ain el Beida Project located in the Wilaya of Ourgla and the 50 megawatt Beni Ounif Project in the Wilaya of Bechar.
“Jinko Solar is proud to announce the recent win of a 150 MW PV module supply contract for Algeria’s ambitious Solar Project initiative, a testament to our commitment to providing ultra-high reliable N-type TOPCon modules,” the company posted on its Facebook page.
With Algeria generating as little as 3% of its electricity from renewables despite its capacity to produce 1,850 to 2,100 kilowatts of solar energy per hour in its sunny desert climate, this contract illustrates the continued importance of increasing access to solar power. It supports Jinko Solar’s mission to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy, particularly in African countries that often lack dependable energy despite high regional potentials for solar.
As a global supplier of solar modules, Jinko Solar’s products have been repeatedly tested to withstand the world’s harshest temperatures and weather. They’re designed to operate for up to 30 years in temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, making them a perfect fit for Algeria and the African continent, which is home to many of the world’s hottest countries.
“Algeria’s challenging environment, with extreme temperatures up to 50°C, intense UV radiation over 1100 W/m², and frequent sandstorms, demands the resilience and efficiency of our Tiger Neo N-type TOPCon PV,” Jinko Solar wrote on its Facebook page. “Our technology has outperformed in the face of Algeria’s strong UV stress and scorching desert climates, proving its mettle and being selected for this significant project.”
As grid instability, inaccessibility, and collapse remain major issues for countries throughout Africa, Jinko Solar is poised to take on more pioneering renewable projects throughout the continent. This is indicated by its continued focus on the market and significant past projects, such as its support of the Light Up Africa initiative and the massive off-grid photovoltaic/diesel generator system in Djibouti .
“Africa presents a vast and largely untapped market for solar energy solutions, particularly in regions where traditional grid infrastructure is lacking,” Titus Koech , senior technical services manager of Jinko Solar sub-Saharan Africa, said in an interview with the African Review. “As the continent’s population and energy demand continue to rise, there’s a growing need for off-grid and decentralized power solutions, making it a prime market for Jinko Solar’s PV modules and battery energy storage solutions.”
Jinko Solar’s Astounding African Solar Projects
With sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 83% of the world’s unelectrified population, Light Up Africa is a joint program of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation working to combat grid instability and achieve universal access to electricity in Africa by 2030.
To ensure that Africa has access to clean and renewable sources during its electrification process, Jinko Solar has supported Light Up Africa by supplying 25 megawatts of solar modules for the Danzi solar park, a 25-megawatt solar park located 18 kilometers (approximately 11 miles) outside of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, that will supply electricity to 250,000 residents of the city — over 25% of its population.
Not only does this project almost double the nation’s electricity generation capacity — which currently stands at 35% in the capital — it replaces over 90% of its diesel fuel-produced energy, leading the Central African Republic well toward its goal of providing electricity to half of its population by 2030.
“We are proud to support the World Bank’s Light Up Africa initiative and provide reliable clean energy solutions to the Central African Republic,” said Jaffer Wang, Jinko Solar’s general manager of sub-Saharan Africa. “Through this project, Jinko Solar demonstrates the outstanding capabilities of Chinese manufacturing in the global PV industry. This project exemplifies our commitment to empowering communities with sustainable energy and driving the global transition toward a greener future.”
An Off-Grid System
With Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh expressing ambitions of the country becoming the first on the continent to be powered entirely by renewable energy by 2035, Jinko Solar has supplied the nation with 1.1 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage system for a hybrid off-grid photovoltaic/diesel gas system.
This system will power 2,500 homes in Djibouti’s rural communities — of which only 14% have current access to electricity — and reduce their reliance on diesel power generation from 24 hours a day to eight hours a day. As a turnkey, scalable system, this BESS vastly improves the reliability and stability of electricity in the country’s remote areas and can be easily expanded and installed if energy demand increases.
“With many rural areas in Africa lacking access to reliable electricity, there’s a strong push toward off-grid solutions such as solar home systems, mini-grids, and standalone solar installations. Jinko Solar’s expertise in manufacturing high-quality solar panels and its ability to integrate battery energy storage solutions positions the company well to meet the demand for off-grid power solutions in Africa,” Koech told the African Review about the company’s focus on off-grid projects.
Jinko Solar’s Jolt to Sub-Saharan Solar
Seeking to optimize the global energy portfolio and enable a sustainable future, Jinko Solar’s projects in Africa couldn’t be more significant. As African countries continue to embrace their potential solar capacity and search for reliable, sustainable, and off-grid energy solutions, Jinko Solar has proven to be a valuable partner committed to expanding access to energy. The company will continue to embrace the African market as one with the most burgeoning importance.
“We have deep ties with Africa as a region and we usually keep in mind Africa when making our key research and development decisions,” said Koech. “In 2024, Jinko expects to deliver approximately 700 megawatt-hours for off-grid solar in Africa and looking forward to commanding more than 30% market share in the next few years.”