• Kalyon Holding has commissioned a 500 MW solar module production facility in Turkey
  • It will roll out modules to be used for 1 GW solar power capacity it is developing along with CETC of China in Konya Karapinar
  • Module technology to be produced at the fab comprises monocrystalline modules with 385W power rating, double-sided glass-glass modules with PERC solar cells having 21.8% efficiency

Turkey has finally got its own vertically integrated solar module factory with annual production capacity of 500 MW. It is touted as the ‘first’ integrated solar panel factory not only in Turkey but all of Europe and the Middle East.

Kalyon Holding says the integrated monocrystalline ingot-wafer-cell-modules fab will roll out modules based on 158.75 mm x 158.75 mm full square monocrystal wafers. The modules will have 385 W power ratings, using 144 PERC half cells and double-sided glass having 21.8% efficiency.

Modules produced here will be deployed by the company for 1 GW solar power capacity in Konya Karapinar region it won after a competitive auction concluded in March 2017 to comply with local content requirement clause. Hanwha Q Cells, its partner in the project has since then exited the partnership (see Turkish Govt Incentivizes 500 MW Module Fab). The winning partnership quoted the lowest winning tariff of $0.0699 per kWh for the 1 GW project.

Local media reported Kalyon will be developing the 1 GW project along with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). The 500 MW factory built with $400 million investment will help turkey save close to $100 million in imports annually. The capacity of the fab may be expanded further in the future as Kalyon aims to export its products produced here.

The Daily Sabah reported that Turkey plans to boost its wind and solar capacity by 10 GW each by 2030 through its Renewable Energy Resources Area (YEKA) support scheme.

Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak said the country’s electricity generation from domestic and renewable energy resources reached 90% on May 24, 2020.

The Turkish government has reportedly provided a lot of incentives for the fab in terms of customs duty exemption, VAT exemption, among others (see Turkish Govt Incentivizes 500 MW Module Fab).