Chinese solar power module manufacturer JA Solar is planning yet another overseas factory as it looks to expand presence across emerging markets and bypass import restrictions in developed markets.
JA Solar Holdings has announced plans to set up its largest overseas solar modules manufacturing factory in Vietnam. The factory will be spread across 88 hectares at Quang Chau industrial zone. The company is expected to invest $1 billion to set up the factory.
The company already operates 8 factories across the Europe, the US and Japan. JA Solar, like several other module manufacturers, facing import restrictions and duties in developed markets like the US and Chinese. Several Chinese and Taiwanese companies have open factories in overseas locations to bypass these restrictions.
Thailand has recently emerged as one of the favourite location for many of these companies. Yingli Solar subsidiary Hainan Yingli New Energy Resource announced a joint venture with Demeter Power to set up a solar panel manufacturing facility in Thailand. Hainan Yingli New Energy Resource will invest $19 million in the joint venture and retain a 40% share in the joint venture. The facility is expected to be operation in the second half of this year.
Trina Solar will set up their manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 500 MW solar photovoltaic modules and 700 MW of solar cells. The facility is expected to be operational by early 2016. Zhongli Talesun will set up a manufacturing facility and also develop 1 GW of solar power projects over the next 3 years.
Taiwan-based Gintech Energy also announced $45 million investment to develop 350 MW solar cell production facility last year.
