Major tier-one PV manufacturer JinkoSolar has finally said its first major overseas solar cell and module manufacturing facility is based in Penang, Malaysia.
JinkoSolar confirmed that the Malasian fab would have an initial solar cell capacity of 500MW and 450MW of PV module capacity.
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The company expects to spend around US$100 million on the facility, which will use high-efficiency multicrystalline technology, which is expected to be Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC) based.
“We are excited to be among the first Chinese solar manufacturers to invest in Malaysia. The Malaysian plant will be our first overseas cell production facility and its module capacity will add to our overseas module capacity, currently located in South Africa and Portugal. By expanding our production capacity geographically, we are further diversifying our global manufacturing layout and enhancing our competitiveness in overseas markets,” commented Kangping Chen, JinkoSolar's chief executive. “Malaysia continues to support the growth of the renewable energy industry by leveraging its competitive cost environment, relatively advanced industrial capabilities, talent pool of well educated engineers, and preferential tax policies. Our project is strongly supported by MIDA (Malaysian Industrial Development Authority) and the local government. We are looking forward to working closely with them to create local jobs and help further promote the development of solar industry in Malaysia.”
The main reason for selecting Malaysia is believed to be due to the well established PV manufacturing supply chain due to an increasing number of major PV manufacturers operating production plants in the country. Companies manufacturing in Malaysia include Comtec, Hanwha Q CELLS, Panasonic and First Solar.
The underlying reason for the overseas plant was to circumvent US anti-dumping duties and increase its market penetration in North America.
The company reiterated that it expected the facility to be operational in May 2015.
