Canadian Solar is to build a new PV module assembly plant to support the build-out of Samsung’s PV project pipeline in Ontario, Canada, furthering its business relations with the South Korean conglomerate.
Although Canadian Solar did not disclose the new facilities expected capacity, the company said that 200 manufacturing jobs would be created at the facility, located in London, Ontario.
The plant will also assemble medium voltage power stations and be used by Canadian Solar for R&D activities and product development associated with solar energy generation. The plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2013.
CSI Ontario Manufacturing, Canadian Solar’s existing module assembly plant in Ontario, has an annual capacity of 330MW.
Shawn Qu, chairman and chief executive of Canadian Solar, said: “This latest transaction highlights our rapidly growing downstream solar power solutions business, as we develop manufacturing capabilities for balance of plant equipment, such as medium voltage stations, while also conducting research in project solutions areas to reduce total project cost and improve performance. We are leveraging the scale afforded by our global leadership position, our experience and extensive resources to ultimately benefit Ontario economically through significant job creation and to provide a much needed sustainable, renewable source of energy.”
The company noted that the new assembly plant would supply modules to three solar power projects planned by Samsung, representing a demand for approximately 300MW (AC) of modules.
