The plant is expected to be fully operational in 2016, and is the third solar plant developed by SunPower under the South African government's renewable energy programme (REIPPP).

“With an abundance of reliable, cost-effective solar resources, South Africa is one of the fastest growing solar markets in the world today,” the president and CEO of SunPower, Tom Werner, said.  “We are pleased to grow our presence in South Africa with the development of solar power plants that enable South Africa’s government to achieve its renewable goals, and look forward to continuing to serve the region with the opening of our new solar panel manufacturing plant this year.”

The project at Prieska will sell the electricity it produces to the regional and public utility Eskom under a power purchase agreement.​