REC Solar mulling next capacity expansion phase

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Singapore-based integrated PV manufacturer REC Solar, recently acquired by Elkem Bluestar, is undergoing site selection analysis for its next major capacity expansion.

Despite incremental capacity expansions to 1.3GW at its Singapore fab and full utilisation, REC Solar remains capacity constrained due to significant demand for modules from the US market, driven by demand from new customers such as SolarCity, the largest residential installer in the country. 

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

Speaking to PV Tech during Intersolar North America last week, Arndt Lutz senior vice president, sales and marketing, North America for REC Solar said: “Our shipments could have been more impressive than they were last year [2014] due to a mismatch between cell and module production. We could have sold a gigawatt.” 

PV Tech estimates that REC Solar shipped over 800MW in 2014. 

Lutz noted that the company expected to ship over 50% of its module production in 2015 to the US, accounting for around 700MW of production capacity, compared to 115MW shipped to the US in 2014. 

REC Solar has been one of several PV manufacturers benefiting from having production outside China and Taiwan after the US strengthened its anti-dumping duties. 

US demand due to both anti-dumping duties and the impending reduction in the US solar investmen tax credit (ITC) has proved a massive boon to REC Solar, just as the European market, excluding the UK has declined. Europe had been the company’s major end-market since its inception. 

“We are experiencing strong demand for our products with the main focus of managing expectations,” noted Lutz. “We do not have enough capacity to supply 72-cell modules this year but will be rectified next year.”

The larger modules are primarily used in utility-scale PV projects and are popular in the US. 

Having been capacity constrained REC Solar is one of the few top 20 PV manufacturers that have yet to officially announce further meaningful expansions, outside previous plans of incremental expansion in Singapore last year. 

However, Lutz confirmed that the new owners wanted the company to expand strongly and site selection analysis was ongoing in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong New Territories as well as considering new production facilities in Singapore, where it has allocated land to expand adjacent to its existing facility. 

No timelines or further details were forthcoming but major expansions already announced by other tier-one producers are in the 1.0GW range as the PV market continues to expand. 

Read Next

September 16, 2025
Sunotec has launched Sunotec Nordic to spearhead solar and hybrid renewable project development across the Nordic region.
September 16, 2025
The SPPC has launched a request for qualifications for 5.3GW of new renewable power capacity, of which solar will account for 3.1GW.
September 16, 2025
Chinese polysilicon producer GCL-Tech has entered into a strategic financing agreement with Infini Capital, a globally renowned investment institution backed by a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund.
Premium
September 16, 2025
At RE+, industry leaders pointed to the resilience of the US solar sector, despite challenges brought by the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' Act.
September 16, 2025
IB Solar is investing INR30 billion (US$340 million) in a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
September 16, 2025
Two of the major European solar trade associations, the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE), have called for EU policymakers to take measures supporting European solar manufacturing.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA