Chint to build 300 MW distributed rooftop PV plant for Alibaba

China-based low-voltage electrical power transmission and electricity distribution company Chint Group, which is the parent company of Chinese solar manufacturer Astronergy, was selected by China’s e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Limited to build a 300 MW distributed rooftop PV plant.

According to Chint, the giant rooftop solar facility will be built by its unit Chint New Energy and will consist of several installations spread across the roofs of Alibaba’s new logistic center in charge of national distribution, which is owned by the unit Cainiao Network Company, with a rooftop area of more than 5km², of which 80% will be dedicated to the construction of the plant. The company said it expects to complete the project by the end of 2019, without releasing additional information.

Chint New Energy Office Director Wang Pengsheng said: “Since early 2010, the company contributed to building power stations connected to the grid totaling more than 800 MW, and is still expanding today. This new success of Chint New Energy in the field of PV power generation is a display of strength, with a production capacity of 2.5 GW and a total installed capacity exceeding 3.5 GW.”

Astronergy began to cooperate with Alibaba in June 2015, when it started to sell its 60-cell PERC modules on the online platform of the biggest Chinese wholesaler. “I believe e-commerce is the trend. It is more convenient for our clients now. Internet changed our life, and so we also need to change marketing approach. I am optimistic about this platform,” said Astronergy’s executive vice president Lu Chuan at the time.