SunPower to build solar cell fabrication plant in Malaysia

Wednesday May 21, 2008 THESTAR

KUALA LUMPUR: SunPower Corporation, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, plans to build its next solar cell fabrication plant in Malaysia.
The new manufacturing facility is expected to be constructed in two phases, with the first phase comprising 14 solar cell production lines with a nameplate capacity of 40 megawatts each, it said in a statement.
After completion of phase two, the plant, Fab 3, is estimated to achieve materially lower capital and operating costs by including solar panel manufacturing, as well as dedicated ingot growing and wafering by partner companies, it said.
Solar cell production in Fab 3 is likely to begin in 2010, with the integrated site development planned to start later this year, SunPower said.
However, it did not reveal the amount of investment involved.
SunPower will launch its manufacturing operations with its industry leading 22% minimum rated Gen 2 solar cells, and expects to add production of its recently announced, higher efficiency Gen 3 solar cells at a later date. – Bernama