Southern Africa trade delegation in front of a large solar thermal reflector at AREVA Solar’s California power plant.
AREVA Solar hosted a delegation of solar energy experts from South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia this past week at its California facilities. The Reverse Trade Mission led by the United States Trade and Development Agency is the first of three events aimed at fostering U.S.-Southern African partnerships in the implementation of solar power projects in Southern Africa. As a U.S.-based business, AREVA Solar sees great potential growth in the solar thermal industry in Southern Africa, creating jobs in the U.S. and Southern Africa.
The delegation’s first stop was at our Kimberlina Solar Thermal Power Plant in Bakersfield, California. Robert Gamble, Vice President of Engineering, introduced our powerful Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology and the more than 300 megawatts of projects under construction worldwide. The delegation then toured the solar power plant – the first solar thermal facility connected to the California grid in 20 years.
Next on the itinerary was a visit to AREVA Solar’s global headquarters in Mountain View, California, where Jayesh Goyal, Global Vice President for Sales, described our solar technology’s localization opportunity: Roughly 80% of AREVA Solar’s projects can be sourced locally, delivering a significant economic impact along with energy in countries developing solar thermal power capabilities.
By fostering bi-lateral discussions like these, AREVA Solar actively supports increasing solar energy collaboration between the U.S. and Southern Africa countries. As demonstrated through AREVA Solar’s 250-megawatt solar project in India, thoughtful collaboration in solar energy development generates beneficial impact both in the U.S. and abroad.
