Canadian Solar brought five new solar power plants online in the final quarter of 2015, adding almost 23MW to its UK portfolio of operational sites.
Three of the new locations – Royston Solar Park, Wick Road Solar Park and Pant-Y-Moch Solar Park – are being developed under a community scheme, but Canadian Solar has energised the commercial elements, totalling 14.7 MW, online ahead of the remaining capacity.
The two other sites at Long Meadow Solar Farm and Slade Solar Farm were also connected to grid late last year under the Renewable Obligations Certificate (ROCs) program. The 8.2MWp of these sites means that in total, Canadian Solar was able to add 22.9MW to its generating capacity.
The five commercial sites are expected to produce almost 24,000 MWh of electricity per year and save over 16,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.
Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Solar, said: “We are delighted to announce the grid connection of an additional five projects, bringing our fleet of solar power plants in commercial operation in the UK to 63.1 MWp.
“We are proud to make our contribution to the adoption of clean solar energy in the UK, while at the same time creating lasting value for our shareholders.”
The three community sites have a combined capacity of 12.5MWp but have yet to be built. Canadian Solar says this will happen in the first half of 2016.