SANTIAGO, Chile – Sonnedix is pleased to announce the commercial operation of three photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Chile; Pica Pilot, Santa Julia and Chuchiñi.

The 7.5MW portfolio marks just the beginning of Sonnedix’s commitment to Chile, with a further 170MW in the pipeline.

“We are delighted to be at the forefront of the Chilean solar power market,” said Andreas Mustad, CEO of Sonnedix. “As one of the sunniest places in the world, there is huge potential for solar energy in the region.”

Pica Pilot, with 0.6MW, operating since December 2015, is a proof of feasibility PV plant located in the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on the planet with the highest solar energy potential currently known. The plant is located close to the small town of Pica, a small oasis 1,700 km from the country’s capital, Santiago.

Santa Julia (3.6MW), operating since April 2016, is located in Petorca, a commune of the greater Valparaiso area, the second largest metropolitan area in Chile and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Power is provided to the distribution grid that serves the 20,000 inhabitants in the area. The plant uses advanced sun tracking technology interconnected with last generation wireless networks.

Chuchiñi (3.3MW), operating since July 2016, is located 316 km from Santiago, near the town of Salamanca in Coquimbo Region. Connected to the distribution grid, it contributes to providing clean energy to the 26,000 inhabitants.