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SunPower starts ramping 200MW of P-Series modules at Oregon facility

The P Series is a relatively new addition to SunPower’s IBC (Interdigitated back contact) solar cell and module product portfolio and has been rated in the annual ‘Top Performer’ testing by DNV GL for the last two years, indicating the reliability and performance stability of the shingled cell technology. Image: SunPower

The P Series is a relatively new addition to SunPower’s IBC (Interdigitated back contact) solar cell and module product portfolio and has been rated in the annual ‘Top Performer’ testing by DNV GL for the last two years, indicating the reliability and performance stability of the shingled cell technology. Image: SunPower

US-headquartered high-efficiency solar panel manufacturer SunPower Corp has started ramping production at its first volume manufacturing plant in Oregon, USA.

The former SolarWorld Americas facility has been converted to produce SunPower’s P Series (19% plus) conversion efficiency modules using its patented ‘shingle’ cell interconnect technology boosting performance of P-type monocrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology. 

The P Series is a relatively new addition to SunPower’s IBC (Interdigitated back contact) solar cell and module product portfolio and has been rated in the annual ‘Top Performer’ testing by DNV GL for the last two years, indicating the reliability and performance stability of the shingled cell technology.

The former SolarWorld Americas facility has been converted to produce SunPower’s P Series (19% plus) conversion efficiency modules using its patented ‘shingle’ cell interconnect technology boosting performance of P-type monocrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology. Image: SunPower

The former SolarWorld Americas facility has been converted to produce SunPower’s P Series (19% plus) conversion efficiency modules using its patented ‘shingle’ cell interconnect technology boosting performance of P-type monocrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology. Image: SunPower

"Today we celebrate the revival of American solar panel manufacturing as SunPower's high-quality P19 product starts coming off the line in Oregon," said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO and chairman of the board. "Now that we're in full production, we look forward to meeting our strong U.S. commercial market demand with these high-performance American-assembled panels."

The US has undergone a small renaissance in PV module assembly in the last two years, primarily driven by the US Section 201 case, imposing high tariffs on virtually all PV modules from manufacturing centres around the world at the beginning of 2018. 

According to PV Tech’s quarterly capacity expansion announcements report, a total of around 2GW of new module manufacturing plans were announced for the US in 2017, which increased to almost 4GW in 2018. 
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) members such as JinkoSolar and Hanwha Q Cells are expected to also start ramping module assembly plants in the US in early 2019, accounting for over 2GW of new capacity in the US. 

LG Electronics, which is the key high-efficiency rival to SunPower, is also establishing a 500MW module assembly plant in Alabama to produce its ‘NeON’ 2 series 60-cell N-type mono modules for the US market. 

Tags: sunpower corporation, c-si manufacturing, monocrystalline wafer, pv modules, solar cell shingle stacking, pv celltech, usa, jinkosolar, hanwha q cells, lg electronics, section 201

WEBINAR: Ultra-high performance panels in the utility scale projects in the European markets

  • Apr 24, 2019
  • Europe
  • PV Tech Event

Join this webinar, presented by Andrea Viaro, Head of Technical Service Europe from Jinko Solar, the initiative partner of this webinar, as he outlines the key features and benefits of using ultra high performance modules. Viaro will discuss how Jinko Solar’s new technology innovations impact the LCOE and IRR of the PV utility-scale power plants. Viaro will be joined by Athanasios Bakalis, Group Technical Director and Nikos Sokos, General Manager MEA and Central Asia of METKA EGN, who will present a currently announced 300MW project in Spain, that will be fully powered by Jinko’s Cheetah modules and will deliberate potential cost benefits and risk assessment of the utility scale projects and what drove METKA EGN to choose Jinko’s ultra-high efficiency modules. Rubén Ron, Head of Section Solar. Iberia and LATAM, will discuss an impact of the reliability and bankability of solar panels and how world-class best practices in manufacturing and upholding stringent quality standards, coupled with the use of field-proven components can help protect solar investments.

WEBINAR: Ultra-high performance panels in the utility scale projects in the European markets

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