HD Hyundai Energy Solutions wins its first solar module order in Africa

South Korea's HD Hyundai Energy Solutions Co., HD Hyundai Co.'s solar power subsidiary, on Monday said it will supply solar modules for construction of solar power plants in Angola promoted by its government.

The company recently signed a contract to supply high-output 500-watt modules by August to Portuguese construction company MCA.

The combined supply volume of 22 MW is enough to meet the electricity demand of 140,000 residents of the regions in question in Angola.

The modules can absorb sunlight from both the front and back sides, raising its power generation capacity over 30% than that of conventional modules.

In addition, HD Hyundai Energy Solutions' "half-cut" technology, which splits one cell into two and connects them to each other, reduces current loss and raises power generation efficiency.

MCA will use the modules to build solar power plants ordered by the Angolan government in the country's Bailundo and Cuito regions.

This project will mark HD Hyundai Energy Solutions' first export of solar modules to Africa. The company will also bid for a large-scale 300-MW solar power project in Angola scheduled for the first half of next year.

The International Energy Agency says Africa has 60% of the world's solar power resources but just 1% of its solar generation capacity, making the continent a market with tremendous growth potential.

"We will raise our market influence by supplying products of high output and quality for public and private solar power plants in Africa," an HD Hyundai Energy Solutions source said. "We will aggressively explore newly emerging markets such as Angola and Uzbekistan as well as handle our main markets in the Americas and Europe."

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com