Canadian Solar Headed to China to Build Two 600-MW Solar Technology Plants

June 3rd, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

Note: I found out from one of our commenters that it’s a Chinese company! Trick naming (and website)…. I have received word from a representative of the company that Canadian Solar is, indeed, a Canadian company (but yes, “most of the manufacturing is done in China”).

China is an attractive place for clean energy companies. It has some of the most supportive policies in the world, and many would say the most supportive. It’s clear that’s not just abstract talk when more and more North American and European companies decide to set up major manufacturing plants and research facilities there.

Canadian Solar Announces 600-MW PV Solar Cell Production Plant in China

Canadian Solar is the latest to announce some big clean energy investments in China. It is building a 600-MW photovoltaic solar cell production plant in Suzhou in Eastern China. It will be putting in 61% of the equity, with state-owned enterprise Suzhou New District Economic Development Group Corp and Suzhou Science and Technology City Development Co Ltd. putting in the rest.

Construction is supposed to begin right after some local permits are obtained. Canadian Solar predicted that it would increase the plant’s production in 2012 once things are rolling.

Canadian Solar Announces 600-MW Solar Wafer Production Plant in China

Coincidentally (or not), a day before the above announcement, Canadian Solar announced that it was teaming up with GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. to build a 600-MW solar wafer plant in Suzhou as well. Again, in the future, Canadian Solar intends to expand the plant, which it says could get up to a production capacity of 1.2 GW (1,200 MW).

More on Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar is one of the world’s largest solar module producers. It manufactures ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules, solar power systems, and specialized solar products. In 2010, it made shipments totaling 803 MW for a total revenue of $1.5 billion. The company operates in:

Canada

China

Germany

Italy

Japan

Korea

Spain

Australia

the United States

It’s seven “wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiaries” currently have a total module capacity of 2.05 GW. Clearly, these new investments in China are a big deal.

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Photo via jasohill









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