Aug 21 2015
Silfab Solar today announced it is increasing production, expanding its facility and breaking monthly production records at its North American photovoltaic solar module manufacturing facility.
The current plant expansion, which will bring annual production to more than 300 megawatts, is necessary to meet strong demand from its North American partners that recognize the multiple advantages brought by Silfab’s automated production process and increased efficiency outputs. The expansion, which includes an upgrade of existing equipment to manufacture five-busbar modules, now places Silfab among the top four PV solar production facilities in North America. The plant expansion will be completed in the third quarter of 2015 and already has added 30 new clean-tech jobs.
“Solar companies seeking to provide customers with the latest advancements in ultra-high efficiency and other innovations at competitive prices are recognizing the Silfab advantage. Our superior production line delivers unmatched quality, reliability and durability,” said Paolo Maccario, Silfab’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are pleased by the ongoing positive response to our unique offering and our more than 30 years of solar industry expertise.”
Silfab Solar helped pioneer smart module technology, glass on glass solutions and bifacial modules. The North American manufacturing process is one of the most automated in the world, and combines Silfab’s decades-long history in the PV market with technology and production techniques borrowed from the most advanced assembly systems in the world.
“Our expansion enables Silfab to meet growing U.S. customer demands in a solar market seeking more locally-made modules,” Geoffrey Atkins, head of business development. “Silfab has and will continue to secure long-term, strategic customers who seek a local supplier that can deliver modules with maximum module efficient and power density.”
Silfab Solar opened its North American manufacturing plant in 2011 with a 90-megawatt (MW) annual capacity. Within three years, capacity increased to 144 MW, then 180 MW as Silfab’s modules became synonymous with some of the largest commercial projects in North America. The plant operates on a 24/7 schedule, 362 days a year.