JinkoSolar to build 10GW n-type cell and module factory in Saudi Arabia

July 16, 2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
JinkoSolar manufacturing.
JinkoSolar said the schedule for development and construction will be “subject to market conditions”. Image: JinkoSolar

Chinese solar manufacturing giant JinkoSolar will build a 10GW n-type solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

The facility will be built and financed through a joint venture (JV) between JinkoSolar Middle East, the Renewable Energy Localization Company (RELC) – a subsidiary of the state-run Saudi Public Investment Fund – and Vision Industries (VI), an investor in Saudi clean energy industrial projects and supply chains. Both JinkoSolar and RELC will hold 40% equity and VI the remaining 20%.

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

The facility itself will represent around US$1 billion in investment, delivered through both internal and external financing.  JinkoSolar said the schedule for development and construction will be “subject to market conditions”, but at full capacity the planned site would produce 10GW each of n-type cells and modules.

The company did not confirm the specific n-type technology, but JinkoSolar primarily produces tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) n-type products. In its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, the company said that it intends n-type products to account for 90% of its global capacity by the end of the year as it phases out the previous generation of p-type cells and modules.

TOPCon is forecast to surpass 50% of solar market share in 2024 by the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) report published earlier this year.

Xiande Li, chairman and CEO of JinkoSolar, said: “This partnership is another major milestone in the execution of our globalisation strategy and will further help us optimise our global manufacturing and marketing infrastructure, as well as enhance our global competitiveness.”

JinkoSolar has signed a number of major supply deals for Saudi PV projects, most notably with ACWA Power, which is owned by VI.

US-based tracker producer Gamechange Solar has recently announced plans to build a 3GW tracker production facility in Saudi Arabia, and last month, fellow Chinese solar manufacturer GCL Energy announced plans to pursue a new polysilicon facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  

‘Global manufacturing’

As reported by PV Tech at the time, GCL’s decision was largely due to the overwhelming competition in the domestic Chinese market following huge polysilicon price slumps over the last year.

The price drops are affecting upstream manufacturers like JinkoSolar, too. In May, Li said that global module prices were near the bottom and, along with executives from fellow manufacturers TrinaSolar and Canadian Solar, called the current price situation in China “irrational”.

The financial results of the major Chinese manufacturers tell a story of challenges. PV Tech Premium looked into the financial performance of the “big five” manufacturers (Jinko, Trina, LONGi, JA Solar and Canadian Solar) over 2023 and Q1 2024, and reported year-on-year profit drops of between 29% for Jinko and 164% for LONGi.

Last week, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a draft rule raising the minimum capital ratio for solar manufacturing projects to 30%. This was broadly intended to “strengthen the management” of the Chinese PV industry and curb the massive capacity expansions and subsequent market impacts that have occurred in recent years.

10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.
7 April 2026
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
Intersolar Middle East and Middle East Energy are coming together to present the mega energy event for the MENA region. From April 7–9, 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre will host Intersolar Middle East Exhibition and Conference alongside the 50th Middle East Energy. Intersolar Middle East focusses on the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, and energy storage systems. The combined event expects to attract more than 45,000 trade visitors from around the world and feature 1,900+ exhibitors.

Read Next

October 23, 2025
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy sold approximately 725MW of solar modules in Q3 2025, as it continues to expand US manufacturing capabilities.
Sponsored
October 23, 2025
Tongwei's rooftop-focused TNC 2.0 G12R-48 module will be among the products on show at All Energy Australia next week.
October 23, 2025
Solar PV technology has maintained its leading position as the most cost-competitive power generation source in 2025, according to analyst Wood Mackenzie.
Sponsored
October 22, 2025
LONGi vice president Dennis She discusses the value logic behind the company's strategic focus on back contact technology.
October 22, 2025
US thin-film manufacturer First has revealed another transfer of its 45X manufacturing tax credits in a deal worth around US$775 million.
Premium
October 21, 2025
PV Tech Premium spoke with academic and industry experts about the rising tide of cybersecurity concerns in Europe's solar energy sector.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany