World’s largest bifacial PV plant nears completion in Chile

• 
  The facility contains 9,180 bifacial PV n-type silicon modules with a nominal peak power of 270Wp each containing BISoN solar cells produced by Megacell. Image: MegaCell

Power systems company Griguol Impianti Elettrici is at an advanced stage of constructing the world’s largest bifacial PV system ‘La Hormiga’ at 2.5MWp capacity in Chile, using technology from Italy-based module manufacturer MegaCell, which is part of Mega Group.

The plant, located in the Valparaíso region, is due for completion in Q3 this year.

Total electricity generation will be around 5.78GWh per year, with the possibility of reaching a levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) value lower than US$59MWh per year, MegaCell claimed.

The facility contains 9,180 bifacial PV n-type silicon modules with a nominal peak power of 270Wp each. They contain BISoN solar cells produced by Megacell.

The modules are mounted on a fixed rack and produced in Carmignano di Brenta factory in Padova, Italy. There are also 240 standard monofacial modules.

The ‘glass-glass’ architecture of the bifacial PV module is expected to guarantee a life span of more than 40 years.

A Chile-based investor is also involved in the project.

Franco Traverso, chairman and chief executive at MegaGroup, said: “We are proud to contribute to the construction of such an ambitious project which has an international renown and [which involves] experienced Italian companies with high innovative capabilities.

“Together with our partner, Griguol Impianti, we will actively contribute to the solar international development and in particular to the Chilean one, which will render Chile the photovoltaic hub of Latin America.”