One of the largest solar power plants planned in the US, and touted by promoters to be the largest solar power system in the country when operational, Gemini Solar & Storage Project will be equipped with G12 solar modules that refer to 210mm wafer sized solar cells.
A spin-off of America's SunPower Corporation, and headquartered in Singapore, cell & module manufacturer Maxeon Solar Technologies will supply around 1 GW of its high efficiency shingled bifacial Performance 5 UPP solar panels for the Nevada located project, translating into approximately 1.8 million panels with each having a rated efficiency of up to 21.1%. Modules will be supplied over 4 quarters, beginning Q2/2022. The project is to be completed by the end of 2023.
While the 2 companies did not specify the capacity of the Gemini project, back in May 2020, the US Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management approved the same with 690 MW capacity and 380 MW solar powered battery storage (see US Clears All Decks For Its 'Largest' Solar Project).
Maxeon plans to manufacture the large format G12 mono-PERC cells at its Malaysian fab, and undertake module assembly in its Mexicali, Mexico factory. It said, "We anticipate this project to take a significant portion of the expected output of Maxeon's new capacity during the first year of operation."
Ty Daul the CEO of Primergy Solar, the company that will own and operate the project as a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, stated "The proximity of Maxeon's module factory to our project site was also a key consideration, offering significant logistical benefits, reduced supply chain carbon impacts, and ultimately reduced costs for energy consumers."
Maxeon plans to set up a module assembly facility in the US with a capacity of up to 1.8 GW to manufacture its latest shingled bifacial technology with up to 650W per panel, it shared in April 2021 after it decided to venture into the US utility scale solar market (see Maxeon Solar Shares Plans To Expand Further Into US Market).
The module supply order was announced by Maxeon soon after it launched its Maxeon Air Solar Panels for commercial rooftops (see 'Disruptive Technology Platform' From Maxeon Solar).
Very high-power and large sized modules with a compatible industry chain was the subject of discussion for the 2-day Very High-Power Solar Modules virtual conference of TaiyangNews on May 17/18 featuring world leading PV manufacturers and inverter suppliers who discussed latest technological developments in the space and the future trends, including applications for residential rooftops and utility-scale solar (see Day 1 and Day 2 coverage).
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