Q-SUN has entered a JV agreement with Bakarat Investment to launch a solar PV manufacturing facility in Oman
It plans to establish 8 GW solar module and 2 GW cell capacity in the Sohar Freezone
TOPCon and HJT technologies will be explored under the arrangement
Q-SUN Solar, a Chinese solar module manufacturer headquartered in Chuzhou City, is the latest name from the world’s largest solar PV industrial market to plan an expansion to the Middle East. It recently announced a joint venture (JV) agreement with emerging Omani investor Bakarat Investment for 10 GW solar cell and module production capacity in Oman.
The break-up is 8 GW of module and 2 GW of PV cell production utilizing TOPCon and heterojunction (HJT) technologies. It will also be a significant boost for Q-SUN, as it currently operates 4 GW of annual module production capacity in China, as per its website.
The proposed factory is planned to be located at the Sohar Freezone adjoining Sohar Port in Oman. It will cater to the growing demand for solar PV modules in the Middle East, said Q-SUN. Bakarat said the cooperation is jointly promoted with its sister company GUtech.
It also aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040 initiative, which focuses on local manufacturing, technological advancement and economic growth, according to the project partners.
Q-SUN’s announcement follows its compatriot Drinda, who announced a high-efficiency solar cell factory in Oman recently. The 5 GW fab will also be located in the Sohar Freezone (see Chinese Company Announces New 5 GW Solar Cell Production Fab In Oman).
Chinese enterprises see the growing demand for solar PV in the Middle East as an attractive opportunity for future growth, especially since they face trade barriers in the existing large markets of the US and Europe, as well as India.
Among the Middle Eastern markets, apart from Oman, it is Saudi Arabia that sits high on their list. High in solar irradiance, stable and strong government support, and ambitious renewable energy targets to ensure energy transition are among the major drivers. Recently, JinkoSolar and TCL TZE of China entered agreements in Saudi Arabia for 10 GW cells and modules, and 20 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facilities in the country (see 20 GW Solar Ingot, Wafer Fab In Saudi Arabia).
In 2023, Trina Solar announced a vertically integrated silicon-to-module production base in the UAE to produce 50,000 tons of high-purity silicon, 30 GW silicon wafers, and 5 GW each of solar cells and modules (see Trina Solar To Make Big Move To The Middle East).
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