Jinko Solar: JinkoSolar x Vale| One of Latin America’s Largest Solar Projects, “Sol do Rio Doce”, Successfully Connects to the Grid

JinkoSolar, one of the largest and most innovative solar companies in the world, announced that it has successfully supplied 766 MW of high-efficiency bifacial modules to Sol do Cerrado solar project of Vale in Brazil.





The Project is now successfully connected to the grid and will serve as a model of close cooperation between Vale and China in the fight against climate change.





“Located in the city of Jaíba, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, the Sol do Cerrado solar project is one of the largest solar projects in Latin America. The “Sol do Cerrado” solar park consists of 17 sub-parks and supporting infrastructure such as an elevator substation, transmission line and connection bay that will be connected to the Brazilian National Interconnected System, covering an area equivalent to 1,300 soccer fields, with an installed capacity of 766MW, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of a city of 800,000 residents.





The project also includes the construction of a 15-kilometer, the 230-kilovolt transmission line to connect the sub-parks in Sol do Cerrado and Jaíba and to transmit the power to the Brazilian national grid. After the grid connection, annual electricity cost savings are expected to reach US$70 million.





The project uses JinkoSolar 182 high-efficiency bifacial double-glass modules. Compared to traditional single-glass products, JinkoSolar’s double-glass modules have better weather resistance and degradation, which ensures the reliability and power output of the PV plant throughout its life cycle.





At the same time, with the rear side power generation gain of double-glass modules, the energy yield of the modules is significantly increased, effectively reducing the cost of electricity and increasing the ROI of the project.


In addition, the half-cell technology and circular ribbon reduce module heat loss and improve the utilization of light refraction inside the module, so that every ray of sunlight can be put to good use, increasing IRR for customers’ project.


Vale expects to have a 100% renewable energy supply in Brazil by 2025 and globally by 2030. “The electricity generated by the Sol do Cerrado project will enable the company to reduce 134,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of 100,000 vehicles in one year.


When it reaches its peak in July 2023, it is expected to generate 16% of the electricity consumed by Vale in Brazil.


Kangping Chen, CEO of JinkoSolar, said: “We are honored to partner with Vale, one of the world’s largest mining companies, on the ‘ Sol do Cerrado ‘ project.


This joint venture with Vale once again confirms the full recognition and trust of our brand strength and technological capabilities on the demand side. JinkoSolar has been committed to accelerating the global clean energy transition with its own technological and product advantages, of which Brazil is one of the key overseas markets for the company’s layout.


In the future, JinkoSolar will continue to take the trust of the end market as the driving force for the company’s development, fully combine its own advantages, and continue to strengthen cooperation with local enterprises in Brazil in clean energy applications, in order to promote the expansion of clean energy supply and reduce energy costs in Brazil. “