US-based solar manufacturer Thornova Solar has started producing solar modules for the US market at a manufacturing plant in Indonesia.
The new module production lines has a 2.5GW nameplate capacity and can produce both PERC and n-type technologies.
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The facility, located on the island of Batam, features fully automated technology. It utilises a 5G-AGV-based transport system of mobile robots and incorporates flexible intralogistics automation solutions.
The company claims that the fifth-generation mobile network provides high performance, reliability, speed, and low latency, greatly enhancing the efficiency and performance of the AGVs used for material transport inside Thornova Solar’s new factory.
“We have equipped the Indonesia plant with our state-of-the-art production technology, and we are excited to announce that it is now in full-scale production of solar modules,” said a spokesperson from Thornova Solar. “While we began commissioning in September, we are now ready to meet customer demand for advanced solar technology.”
“The US is an important market in the global solar industry. Ensuring sufficient production capacity to meet the increasing demand for our modules is essential. This facility in Indonesia is just the first step in our broader strategy to provide high-quality solar solutions. We are committed to meeting the needs of both the US and global markets,” the spokesperson added.
Earlier this year, PV Tech reported that Thornova had launched a new n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) module series for utility-scale projects.
The dual-glass TS-BGT66-G12 and single-glass TS-BWT66-G12 modules are based on the larger-format G12 silicon wafers. They offer power outputs ranging from 695-720W and conversion efficiencies from 22.4-23.2%.
Indonesia’s manufacturing capabilities
Indonesia, which, according to global accounting giant PwC, will become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2050, has seen an influx of manufacturing plants being developed in the country.
In late September 2024, solar manufacturer SEG Solar started construction on a vertically integrated 5GW ingot-to-module TOPCon solar PV plant in the central Java province. Construction started less than six months after the company unveiled its plan to build the plant in May 2024.
SEG Solar expects to complete the first phase of the site by Q2 2025. No additional timeline has been disclosed for subsequent phases.
Alongside SEG Solar, Singapore-headquartered PV manufacturer Gstar recently started construction on a 3GW silicon wafer plant located in Jakarta. The plant is expected to start production by the end of 2024.
This article has been updated from its original version to reflect inaccurate information originally provided to PV Tech stating that the facility would produce cells as well as modules.
