- Talesun Solar and MEM Group to jointly build 1 GW module production line in Turkey
- The new fab will come online in Q2/2023 to produce p-type cells, and introduce TOPCon in 2024
- Target markets for the new Turkish fab will be Europe and the US, as per current plans
Chinese solar module manufacturer Talesun Solar has entered a framework agreement with MEM Group to jointly build a solar module production line with an annual capacity of 1 GW in Turkey by Q2/2023 and add a TOPCOn line in 2024.
“In 2024, we plan to add the new-generation TOPCon technology production line in the facility with the expectation that we will quickly achieve stable mass production. In addition, we will continuously enhance the design and production processes to meet the demands of different customers,” shared Talesun Solar Regional Sales Leader of Europe, Pınar Eser.
While Talesun Solar did not specify the technology for the initial 1 GW production line in an official statement, local news reports in Turkey stated that the 2023 plans are based on p-type cell technology, in other words PERC. N-type will be introduced in 2024, as per current plans.
The project is planned to come up on an area of 40,000 sq. mtr. in Kahramanmaras city in South-Central Turkey. Talesun, that claims to have 20% PV market share in Turkey, will provide the design for the layout of the factory, and also list its standards and approvals for all equipment and raw material needed.
A diversified business conglomerate with interests in industrial equipment, manufacturing and electrical services, MEM Group sees this partnership as enabling it to know more about solar PV market.
“The cooperation with Talesun Solar will help us achieve a deeper participation in the Turkish photovoltaic market, give full play to MEM Group’s advantages in the fields in which it specializes while the Turkish company will get access to the solar PV maker’s global sales channels,” added MEM’s Vice President Ahmet Teyfik Paksu.
The duo also plans to further optimize and expand the global portfolio, and then open up the target markets in the United States and Europe, added Paksu.
The plans likely build on the success of Turkish wafer to module manufacturer Kalyon, which started production in 2020 with 500 MW, now operates at 1.2 GW and plans further expansion (see Kalyon & Fraunhofer ISE To Research On Integrated PV).
This is the 2nd international solar manufacturing news from Talesun Solar. Earlier this month it announced the commissioning of a 325 MW solar module manufacturing facility that it jointly built with ARTSolar in South Africa (see 325 MW PV Module Production Fab In South Africa).
