JA Solar is planning to begin construction of a 500MW cell factory in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh with Essel Infraprojects Ltd. in December, followed later by a module plant of a similar size.

Construction follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Essel Infraprojects and JA Solar. Applications for a parcel of land have been made, Essel Infraprojects Chief Executive Officer Ashok Agarwal said.

The company plans to set up the manufacturing plant at the Sri City Industrial Park in Andhra Pradesh. Construction of the $150 million cell-making facility is expected to take a year.

A 500MW module-manufacturing plant will follow, with completion expected by the first half of 2017, Agarwal said. Additional investment will be made, the executive added, without providing details.