Canadian Solar Gets Partner For 1.4 GW Solar In UK

• Canadian Solar has found a project development partner in Windel Capital in the UK
• Windel will develop a portfolio of 1.4 GW capacity through RTB stage post which Canadian Solar will fund and find buyers for power to be generated
• Some of the projects are expected to reach RTB status in H2/2021 and may include battery energy storage systems

Canadian Solar Inc. has entered into a project development agreement for a portfolio of 1.4 GW of solar power projects in the UK with local renewable energy developer Windel Capital Ltd.

As per the agreement between the 2, Windel said it will deliver 1.4 GW of early stage solar projects under development through ready-to-build (RTB) status. Its partner Canadian Solar will on the other hand support these projects with funding and power procurement agreements (PPA).

Initial set of projects, of an unidentified capacity possibly with battery energy storage systems for some of these, are targeted to reach the RTB status in H2/2021.

This is the 2^nd collaboration between Windel and Canadian Solar – the two previously worked on a 10 MW FIT/CIC (feed-in-tariff/community interest company) project in Wales. Windel said it secured the 1.4 GW pipeline over the course of 18 months.

"Canadian Solar is a perfect fit for us as we both share common goals and objectives. We are also looking forward to building long term sustainable relationships with our landowner clients and to co-deliver clean and affordable solar energy," said Windel Capital's Managing Partner Gary Toomey and added that the agreement will support growth of both the firms in the UK and strengthen their market position.

As Britain looks towards a coal power free future by 2024, solar and wind are increasingly strengthening their clout in the country (see 2020 'Greenest Year On Record' For Britian).

Apart from Canadian Solar, another solar power company with Chinese origin that's seeking to increase its market share in the UK of late is ReneSola that has announced several partnerships to develop solar here (see Yet Another European Joint Venture For ReneSola).

Canadian Solar is participating in the TaiyangNews virtual conference on Advanced Module Technologies which is the launchpad for the 2^nd edition of our Advanced Solar Module Technology Report. Representing the company during the conference is Sr. Director Global Product Management and Technology Integration, Dr. Xusheng Wang who will discuss the 'New era of reliable high efficiency modules—210mm based Series 7. Registrations to the conference are free here.