Panel maker Canadian Solar opens new manufacturing plant in Brazil
by Cleantech Canada Staff
With capacity to produce 380 megawatts of solar modules per year, new Sao Paulo-area facility is country's largest
GUELPH, Ont.—Ontario-headquartered panel maker Canadian Solar has kicked off production at a new solar module manufacturing plant in Sorocaba, Brazil.
Located just west of Sao Paolo, the new plant has capacity to produce 380 megawatts of PV modules per year, making it the growing South American country’s largest solar production facility.
“Our new state-of-the-art facility is already having a positive impact on Brazil’s economy through the jobs created, investment made in the local economy, and our help in the promotion and further development of the country’s renewable energy industry,” Shawn Qu, the company’s chairman and CEO, said.
The site will allow the company to build modules for its 390 MW project backlog in Brazil, as well as meet further demand in one of the world’s fastest-developing solar markets.
Qu said the local manufacturing site would give it an advantage over other international competitors.
While forecasters remain enthusiastic about the solar energy market, several large solar firms have struggled this year amid a panel supply glut. First Solar, for instance, laid off 1,600 workers last month, while SunPower shut a Philippines plant in August, eliminating 1,200 jobs.
