China-based solar manufacturer GCL System Integration Technology (GCL-SI) is planning to build a solar panel manufacturing plant with an investment of CNY18bn ($2.5bn).
Planned to be built in Hefei province, the new factory will have the capacity to manufacture 60GW of solar panels on an annual basis.
The new factory, which is expected to be the world’s largest module production capacity upon completion, will be equipped to produce 210mm high-efficiency modules.
GCL-SI chairman Eric Luo said: “This is another solid step in the dual-main business operation strategy (namely, PV+ energy storage).
“GCL-SI welcomes upstream and downstream companies in the industrial chain to come to Feidong and build a super PV intelligent manufacturing base together.”
Capable of manufacturing 166mm and 158.75mm modules, the factory will feature automatic and intelligent production technology with big data support.
As per the deal signed recently with the Government of Feidong County, GCL-SI will build the project in four phases, each with a production capacity of 15GW, from 2020 to 2023.
The first phase of the project, which is estimated to cost CNY5bn ($704m), is planned to be operational in 2020.
Feidong, a county of Hefei City, said that the project aims to create a super PV intelligent manufacturing base to accommodate cells, backsheet, glass and other supporting supply chain companies.
GCL-SI currently has a module production capacity of 7.2GW, with products covering both monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Recently, private technology firm Tongwei Group started construction on the 30GW Tongwei Solar Photovoltaic Industrial Base Project in Chengdu, China.
Located in Huaizhou New Town, Jintang County, the CNY20bn ($2.8bn) high-performance solar cell and supporting project expected to create over 10,000 new jobs.
