“We’re willing to work with any African country to explore this model” – David Chen
Africa is diversifying its energy sources by going green and investing in solar farming and incorporating solar into the grid system to power communities hence making solar power the pillar for a green and sustainable future.
Over the years solar power has increasingly been well financed in Africa with AID donors taking a keen interest in sponsoring more ambitious solar projects. At a time when the ‘BELT and ROAD’ initiative is gaining momentum and the ever growing China-Africa partnership, African governments are leaving no stone unturned in striving to take home sustainable projects in the development of their nations and energy is of paramount importance.

In his company visit to Suzhou Talesun Solar Co. Ltd, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Namibia to China, Mr. Humphrey Geiseb highlighted the demand for green energy in Africa and its application in projects aimed at poverty alleviation and employment creation. Mr Geiseb was speaking during a tour organized by China Africa Renewable Energy Cooperation and Innovation Alliance (CARECIA) in Suzhou.
CARECIA is a pool of top state-owned and non-governmental enterprises in the fields of hydro, thermal, wind, solar, waste, and gas power generation.
Ms Tracy Qi who is the Secretary General of CARECIA pointed out that the alliance promotes cooperation between China and Africa in trade, projects, technology, economy and investment in the energy sector, building a synergy between African states and energy organizations through their platform. It’s their duty to ensure they bring onboard capable companies like Suzhou Talesun Co. Ltd for sustainable cooperation with Africa in various energy projects and guaranteeing quality products.
Suzhou Talesun Solar Technologies Co. Ltd is a successful subsidiary of the Jiangsu Zhongli Group of Companies.
The group founded in 1988 has a 30 year history of scientific and technological innovations and is among China’s best private enterprises, independent innovation and among the top tax -paying private companies exceeding RMB 1 billion in 2016.
Suzhou Talesun Technologies Co. Ltd was founded in 2010 and through its parent company, has direct access to the world’s leading technology, research and development facilities hence always ahead in terms of new innovations. It is one of the few domestic photovoltaic enterprises to pass VDE Quality-Test Certification and achieved the accolade of being the most qualified photovoltaic manufacturer in the whole industry in China. From their founding in 2010 at a total of 5 billion yuan from Jiangsu Zhongli Group, Talesun has risen to become the leaders in photovoltaic enterprising with a global PV cell capacity of 4GW and a global record of 5GW {6th globally} PV module capacity. Talesun has had more than 60 prestigious awards, from 2015-2017 was consecutively ranked global 1 tier module manufacturer on Bloomsberg .

Mr. David Chen who is the President of Domestic Strategic Development, clearly stated the capability of their company to handle any project and their willingness to cooperate with more African governments. Currently they have an agent office in South Africa. He stated that their China Manufacturing facilities, Suzhou Talesun have an annual production of 3.2 GW PV cells and 4GW annual production of PV modules. Their production line is fully-automated with the world’s most advanced equipment introduced from Italy, Germany and Japan and their advanced R&D team continually improves the technical manufacturing lines with photovoltaic cell technologies and innovations in module production and improving PV cell efficiency. At present, the conversion efficiency of PERC is up to 22.3%. They boast of a 9GW global shipment covering about 36 countries. They have a great variety of product innovation from the half cell module, multi bar and dual glass bifacial modules. The mono and polycrystalline solar PV module gives a guarantee of 25-30 years power output which is a winner for long term investment. It is because of its reputation that it got membership in the China-Africa Renewable Energy Cooperation and Innovation Alliance (CARECIA).
As he addressed the delegates led by CARECIA, Mr. David Chen spoke highly of the successfully launched high-efficient ‘Wannong eco-photovoltaic’ project and also the creation of the highly commendable poverty relief model of ‘smart PV + featured agriculture + farmer employment.’ It simultaneously promoted the comprehensive development of solar agriculture technology, the ‘innovative photovoltaic farms’. Poverty alleviation is the goal of every community hence the application of photovoltaic solar in Agriculture is a welcome innovation. In 2015 they invented ‘Smart PV + Science technology Agriculture ‘innovative project which won 34 international and domestic invention patents. In 2016 they researched and developed ‘PV farm’ and has been regarded as a replicable and sustainable project by Poverty Relief Office of the State Council in China to get rid of poverty with stable income within 20 years. This project has attracted a number of foreign countries and among which are African countries.
Talesun has developed special breed aquatics of rearing livestock and fish, the innovate ‘PV farming + soilless culture plant’ technology which Mr. David Chen said takes about 15 days for vegetables to be ready for harvest during summer and about 25 days in winter. As he took the visitors around the farm, he further explained that the project can be done in any regions with no cost of land improvement and help relief poverty in a short period of time. The ‘PV + Livestock farming’ is highly applauded by local authorities in West of China. The delegates also got the opportunity to observe the new centralized ‘Smart PV’ monitoring system which can automatically analyze the farming environment temperature, soil humidity, fertility and so on, anywhere around the country.
In conclusion Mr. Humphrey Geiseb said “If citizens are without access to electricity, they are by implication excluded from actively participating in national economic development activities.” “Solar is the key to environmental friendly future energy. Africa needs energy supplies and the rejuvenation of the Agricultural Sector, smart energy is the future and now for us “.