Chinese solar power manufacturer JinkoSolar has recently announced its agreement to provide 220,000 Tiger Neo bifacial solar modules to the Verila solar plant in Bulgaria, with a capacity of 123MW. This partnership marks a significant step towards Bulgaria's clean energy transition and reinforces the country's growing solar sector.
JinkoSolar's Tiger Neo modules feature TOPCon N-type cells, known for their resilience and efficiency. These modules boast an impressive conversion efficiency of 23.23% and a temperature coefficient of -0.29% per degree Celsius. As a prominent member of the Solar Module Super League, JinkoSolar's contribution to the Verila solar plant showcases the company's commitment to pioneering solar technology.
Bulgaria currently relies on solar power for a small portion of its electricity production, with an installed capacity of just 1.5GW as of last year. However, the collaboration with JinkoSolar, a renowned global solar panel manufacturer, is expected to spark greater interest and investment in Bulgarian solar projects.
The Verila solar plant, owned by Eurohold Bulgaria and constructed by Suotec, commenced operations last week. The facility holds the distinction of being the largest solar project in Bulgaria, symbolizing a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy landscape. Eurohold Bulgaria has already signed a momentous corporate power purchase agreement, securing a decade-long commitment to supply electricity from the Verila plant to telecoms companies Yettel and Cetin.
Frank Niendorf, the general manager of JinkoSolar Europe, expressed his optimism for the project, stating, “The Verila project will become not only a Bulgarian benchmark but also a pan-European one for renewable energy transition.” He added, “It is one of the largest projects ever built in Europe using TOPCon bifacial modules, and JinkoSolar is very proud to be a part of such an important milestone for our industry.”
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This development contributes to Bulgaria's expanding solar sector, with further growth anticipated in the coming years. Rumen Petrov, secretary-general of the Bulgaria Solar Association, estimates that the country will witness the addition of 20GW of solar capacity within the next three years. Additionally, Austrian solar firm Enery is planning the construction of the 160MW Chirpan facility in Bulgaria, aiming to commence operations as early as this year.
The collaboration between JinkoSolar and the Verila solar plant not only brings cutting-edge solar technology to Bulgaria but also highlights the nation's commitment to renewable energy. With increased investments and ambitious plans, Bulgaria's solar sector is poised for remarkable progress in the near future.
