EPC Construtora Quebec, a Brazilian engineering company, chose GE Power to provide 4.4-megawatt (MW) and 2.2-MW LV5 1,500-volt solar inverters and skids for the 14-MW Verde Vale III project in Guanambi, Brazil, GE announced Thursday.
'GE will provide the full service to EPC Construtora Quebec, managing the assembling, the commissioning and the maintenance needed to guarantee the optimal performance and durability of the full electrical balance of plant, including inverters’ stations, high-voltage transformers and substations and connection bay,' a press release read.
Vientos Solutions, an owner and operator of energy infrastructure assets in emerging markets, is the project owner.
According to the statement, compared to its 1,000-volt peers, the LV5 1,500-volt inverter technology from GE's Power Conversion business has a higher voltage, enabling a simpler and more efficient farm infrastructure layout, while targeting the same energy output.
The technology, which has received accreditation from Brazil's Bank of Economic and Social Development to meet local content requirements, can deliver lower system costs and operating expenses, GE added.
Construtora Quebec CEO Scott Wells said GE's 'highly efficient' solar solution ensured them a solar project 'that will have reduced capital expenditures and operating expenses, allowing us to create real value for the plant’s long-term performance'.
Patrick Fetzer, CEO of Solar at GE's Power Conversion business, said in total, GE had provided more than 1 gigawatt of solar inverters to Brazil's solar industry as part of the company's commitment to bringing down the levelized cost of electricity in Brazil, and providing clean and efficient power to the local community.
According to the statement, as the leading market on the continent, Brazil hit 1 GW of solar installed capacity at the beginning of the year, 'demonstrating strong interest and ambition in developing PV technology to diversify the future power mix'.
By Hale Turkes
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr