Changzhou, China-based Trina Solar Limited, a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, announced on June 30 that it has been awarded a contract to deliver 55 MW of solar modules to Renault’s solar project at its car manufacturing plants in France.

Renault SA is an international automaker based in Boulogne, France. The Trina Solar modules are expected to be installed by the developer, Gestamp Asetym Solar, S.L., of Bilbao, Spain, at six of the automotive manufacturer’s French factories, located in Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly, Sandouville and Cleon.

This will be the biggest photovoltaic project in the auto industry, worldwide. Upon completion of the project, Trina Solar's modules will cover approximately 4.7 million square feet of parking lot shelters –equivalent to approximately 55 European football fields. Annual electricity production is estimated to be sufficient to power the needs of a city of approximately 14,000 inhabitants.

The agreement was made on behalf of Trina Solar by its subsidiary, Trina Solar (Spain) S.L.U., with Gestamp Solar, a developer of large-scale solar energy projects. Under the terms of the agreement, deliveries of the solar modules are set to commence in June and extend through November. The financial details were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to announce our continued collaboration with Gestamp Solar,” said Ben Hill, Trina Solar's vice president of Sales and Marketing in Europe. “We are glad to combine our high quality modules and premium service to deliver cost-effective PV solutions for Renault's manufacturing sites in France, and raise awareness of the widespread adoption of solar energy.”

“Gestamp Solar is excited to partner with Trina Solar,” said Alfredo Gonzalez-Izquierdo, production director of Gestamp Solar. “Trina Solar's industry leading solar reliability and quality matches perfectly with our mission to provide global services to our clients and become a leading company in all stages involved in the development of the solar business.”

Gestamp has previously completed two other photovoltaic projects for the automotive industry: a 1.1 MW system for Lamborghini in Italy; and an eight MW system for Seat in Spain.

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