Colun will install 4,860 solar panels at Chilean cheese plant

Chile’s dairy cooperative Colun will install a photovoltaic system on the roof of its new cheese plant in La Unión. The companies describe it as the largest rooftop solar project for self-consumption in southern Chile.

The installation will contain 4,860 bifacial panels covering more than 21,000 square metres of the plant’s roof. Its peak capacity will be 3,159 kWp, while nominal alternating-current capacity will be 2,475 kWac.

During its first year, the system is expected to produce about 3,357 MWh of renewable electricity. Colun’s cheese facility will use the output to meet part of its energy requirements. According to the companies, the arrangement will also reduce the carbon footprint associated with the plant’s operations.

Lionel Mancilla, Colun’s general manager, said the project forms part of the cooperative’s strategy to move towards more sustainable industrial processes and improve energy efficiency.

The agreement extends a partnership between Colun and Copec that began in 2024. Through Copec Flux, the companies started developing solar installations for farmers associated with Colun. The new project will place photovoltaic generation directly at a Chilean dairy-industry facility.

Construction is due to start in October 2026, with commissioning planned for May 2027. Copec Flux will operate and maintain the system, including monitoring its performance.