Philadelphia Solar panels to begin US manufacturing with JV with Translucent Energy

• Translucent Energy, an U.S. solar technology firm, is entering a joint-venture with Jordan-based solar panel producer Philadelphia Solar to bring solar modules to the united state market. The business, presently operating as Trading Philadelphia Solar, prepares to establish an U.S. production arm of Philadelphia Solar modules by the end of this year, with complete U.S. manufacturing by 2024.

Phillip Martin, COO of Translucent Energy, informed Solar Power World that the joint-venture has actually narrowed its united state area search to 3 states and also strategies to introduce its authorities area in December before getting production devices. The business will certainly first produce mono-PERC solar panels before transitioning to heterojunction technology in 2025.

The solar panels will carry the Philadelphia Solar name, already UL-listed and also recognized as a Tier 1 provider. Philadelphia Solar currently operates a 580-MW photovoltaic panel factory in Amman, Jordan. The U.S. photovoltaic panel manufacturing facility is expected to have a 1.2-GW yearly capacity.

"As the solar market remains to increase, we are delighted to companion with Translucent Energy to undertake this transformative step for our business, first by growing our exports to the U.S.A., and also secondly through our prepared 1.2-GW panel manufacturing facility in America," said Mohammad Shehadeh, CCO of Philadelphia Solar, in a news release.

Nour Mousa, CEO of Translucent Energy, is a creator of Desert Technologies, a photovoltaic panel supplier in Saudi Arabia. Mousa wanted developing a solar modern technology business back home in the United States. Along with this photovoltaic panel joint-venture, Translucent Energy also makes a containerized solar and storage space system, called Tau, for microgrids and off-grid situations. The plan is to develop U.S. manufacturing for the Tau system too.

"With international supply chains facing unprecedented interruption, numerous U.S.-based solar designers are having a hard time to find a reputable as well as cost-effective source for their photovoltaic panels. The exceptional reaction we are seeing from developers demonstrates that our joint venture addresses a key market need," Mousa said in a press release.

Philadelphia Solar presently obtains its solar cells and wafers from Taiwan, but the combined firm is taking a look at bolstering the U.S. production supply chain.

"We are wanting to set up full manufacturing-- ingot, wafer and whatever else-- and also presenting heterojunction technology below in the U.S.," Martin told Solar Power World.

The U.S. panel factory will certainly make modules for both the residential as well as utility-scale markets. Philadelphia Solar presently makes 400- and 530-W modules. Martin said the firms are establishing circulation partnerships today but expects the initial 1.2-GW capacity to be marketed through significant supply agreements.