Awendio Solaris has announced plans for solar PV manufacturing at a multi-GW scale in Canada
It plans up to 2.5 GW in phase I, scaling to 5 GW using n-TOPCon technology, with production aimed at the US and Canadian markets
The project is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs, and includes an R&D center, and will start commercial production in 2028
UK-based company Awendio Solaris has announced plans to build a multi-GW solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Canada’s Montréal-Est, Québec, for an investment of CAD 1 billion, based on n-TOPCon cell technology.
Under Phase I, it targets to commission up to 2.5 GW of annual production capacity, with plans to scale to 5 GW. This state-of-the-art fab will manufacture solar cells and assemble solar modules. The output will serve the US and Canada markets.
“We are developing plans for an end-to-end North American supply chain, with the aim of leveraging Québec's natural resources including quartz, metallurgic silicon and green aluminium,” stated the company that’s led by CEO and Co-Founder Marc Deschamps.
It added, “Our proposed supply chain would span from silicon production in North America through conversion to polysilicon and wafers in Michigan, to final cells manufacturing and module assembly in Québec.”
Awendio has roped in solar manufacturing engineering specialist RCT Solutions to help set up the factory, with Broccolini responsible for development and completion of the facilities. Engineering firm AtkinsRéalis is also on board.
The factory will be powered by hydroelectricity, with supplemental electricity planned to come from on-site solar generation. Awendio said these plans are expected to generate close to 1,000 high-quality manufacturing & R&D jobs.
Awendio targets financial close by the end of Q1 2026, construction start in Q2 2026, and commercial production in 2028.
The facility, for which land selection is yet to be done, will also include a global R&D center. Awendio says it has established R&D partnerships with 3 leading Québec universities, namely Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke.
Awendio’s project partner, RCT Solutions, is reportedly also working with the province of Manitoba in Canada, with plans for a 10 GW annual solar manufacturing facility, including a solar glass factory (see Canadian Province Announces PV Manufacturing Project).