Soitec to scale back US CPV operations after 150MW project falters

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

CPV producer Soitec said a 150MW CPV power plant previously announced would be scrapped as the customer, San Diego Gas & Electric was said to have encountered a “major roadblock” in developing the project. 

Soitec said in a statement: “Certain of the administrative conditions pertaining to the transaction could not be fulfilled timely. Soitec will therefore not receive the expected CPV systems order from the designated EPC contractor which was anticipated to leverage its US cost base.”

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

As a result if the cancelled project, Soitec said it would scale back its CPV module assembly operations in San Diego facility, while pursuing new business opportunities in the US. 

Soitec said that its project pipeline for the 2015-2016 fiscal year was around 70MW in sales. The company expects to announce an impairment charge in order to reflect on the adjusted US pipeline of projects.

In April, 2014 Soitec lost a CPV deal with Tenaska Solar Ventures when a planned 150MW PV power plant in Imperial Valley, California was completely switched to conventional PV modules. 

At the time, Soitec said that its San Diego assembly plant would not be affected by the lost order as it supported its global CPV project business.

The company also noted that its 44MW CPV plant built in South Africa successfully completed all requested testing procedures and had received confirmation from the South African utility, Eskom for the final commissioning of the plant, which we trigger final payment for the plant. 

Read Next

August 7, 2026
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to announce a scheme covering more than 10GW of polysilicon production capacity.
August 7, 2026
Despite the new power inverter ban from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US manufacturing is expected to meet new inverter demand, according to an analysis from energy market research firm Wood Mackenzie.
Premium
August 7, 2026
PV Tech Premium spoke with several industry analysts about the FCC inverter ban and how it will impact the US solar industry.
Premium
August 7, 2026
Wood Mackenzie’s Joseph Shangraw discusses the challenges facing the US plug-in solar market and the pathway to wider adoption.
August 7, 2026
The US introduced a 15% tariff on imports of products using polysilicon and set minimum prices for polysilicon and its derivatives.
August 7, 2026
Solar module manufacturer Heliene has laid off 93 employees at its Mountain Iron solar module assembly plant in the US state of Minnesota.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye