EIB lends 40 million Euro for South African thin-film solar PV module factory

December 12, 2008
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The European Investment Bank will lend €40 million to Thin Film Solar Technologies to support the construction of a 30-MWp production facility for CIGSSe photovoltaic modules in Paarl, located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. The plant will hire up to 150 employees, who will receive training and specialist skills development.

The copper-indium-gallium-sulphur-selenium TFPV technology for the new module production was developed by a University of Johannesburg research team led by Vivian Alberts, the same CIGSSe technology deployed at Johanna Solar’s recently commissioned 30-MWp fab in Germany. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

At the start, most of the modules will be exported, according to EIB; however, the share of locally sold units is expected to increase gradually as the South African PV market develops. The new plant will eventually provide PV systems to schools and clinics in rural communities, where solar is often more cost-effective than power-grid development, as well as microsized installations for individual homes, at competitive prices.

Details of the timeline for plant construction, factory production ramp, or commercial product launch have yet to be announced.

Commercialization of the technology will proceed by way of a public-private partnership among the South African government (CEF and National Empowerment Fund) and private investors (Sasol and the university).

The EIB is providing this loan under its Structured Finance Facility, which was established in 2001 to enable the bank to support to priority projects with a higher risk profile than it normally assumes.

Read Next

October 17, 2025
Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec has signed lease agreements for 64MW of solar PV and 10MWh of energy storage capacity in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
October 17, 2025
A group of over 20 US states are suing the Trump administration for the cancellation of the US$7 billion Solar For All Scheme.
October 16, 2025
Masdar and Turkey have entered the final stage of US$1 billion agreement to develop the 1.1GW plant in Bor, Niğde Province, central Turkey.
October 16, 2025
T1 Energy and Nextracker have agreed to use the latter’s steel module frames at the former’s new 5GW module manufacturing facility in Dallas.
October 16, 2025
US utility-scale solar additions grew by 56% in 2024, reaching 30GW from 2023’s 19GW and representing over 54% of all new electricity generation capacity added in the country last year.
October 16, 2025
Expanding the electrification of Europe’s energy sector, would be the 'main tool' to improve the EU’s energy security, according to Ember.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK