Japanese Thin-film module manufacturer, Solar Frontier has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with oil company Saudi Aramco and the Saudi Arabian National Industrial Cluster Development Programme to undertake a joint study into the possibility of CIS solar panel production in Saudi Arabia for future solar farms.
Showa Shell Sekiyu, parent company of Solar Frontier in collaboration will work on the feasibility study to assess the technological and economic aspects of CIS thin-film solar panel production in Saudi Arabia. This feasibility study is part of an economic reform initiative of Saudi Arabia known as Vision 2030.
Showa Shell Sekiyu already has strong ties and interests with Saudi Arabia as well as Saudi Aramco. Company’s current move will further strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia’s solar energy sector. Limited information is currently available and any further developments will be announced based on the results of this joint feasibility study.
Solar Frontier is one of the largest CIS solar panel producers in the world with over 1.1 GW of CIS module production capacity.
Saudi Arabia is one of the best-suited locations for the installation of CIS modules. In high temperature and dry climate CIS panels offer higher output in comparison with regular PV modules and other thin film PV modules.
Saudi Arabia aims to generate 9.5GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The government has already started work on setting up a solar module manufacturing unit in the country. International planning, architecture, and interior design firm, ci design, has been selected to lead the design and planning of a 110 MW solar PV modules manufacturing facility set to be developed by the Al-Afandi Group. The facility will be built at the Industrial Valley of the King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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