Hanwha SolarOne has announced an agreement with developers Cobra, Gransolar and Kensani to supply 155 MW of solar modules for two projects in South Africa. In the largest ever solar module deal for both South Africa and Hanwha SolarOne, modules will power the Letsatsi and Lesedi projects, which were selected by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) in the first round of bids under the South Africa Renewable Energy Program.

South Africa is ideally situated for solar, with a low population density and an annual 2,500 hours of sunshine. The installation will generate enough clean energy for 268,000 families in the country.

By contributing 75 MW to each of the Letsatsi and Lesedi Projects, Hanwha SolarOne, in collaboration with Cobra, Gransolar and Kensan, will help South Africa reduce carbon emissions and meet its commitment to developing 8,400 MW of solar PV energy by 2030. The delivery of the solar modules is expected to be completed by the end of June 2013.

"This latest contract signals Hanwha SolarOne's growing global presence," said Mr. Min-Su Kim, President of Hanwha SolarOne.

"As the flagship company of Hanwha Group, a Fortune Global 500 company and the third largest photovoltaic manufacturer in the world with 2.3 GW of manufacturing capacity, Hanwha SolarOne is placed in an ideal position to provide total energy solutions to every region in the world. Hanwha SolarOne's ongoing efforts to globalize our business will enable us to develop additional growth engines to propel our sustained success."

"As a company committed to growing with emerging markets, we are excited and honored to take part in this monumental project. Following our successful developments in Greece, Kenya and Indonesia, this largest ever solar deal for both Hanwha SolarOne and South Africa is a huge step forward in providing a reliable and affordable source of energy for emerging solar markets," said Vice President Moonhwan Cha, Head of Hanwha SolarOne Asia Pacific.

"We look forward to working with a leading PV manufacturer like Hanwha SolarOne that is renowned for providing high-quality, cost-competitive PV modules. Together with Hanwha SolarOne, Cobra is committed to pushing the frontiers of solar energy use in South Africa, to usher in a new era of green energy consumption in the country," stated Cesar Delgado from Cobra.

"We have set up local offices of both our EPC and engineering office in South Africa because we believe in this market," said Ivan Higueras, Director of Gransolar. "Now with one of the leading module suppliers like Hanwha as a technological partner, the future will be very exciting for all of us."