Canadian Solar’s PV module manufacturing facility, which is co-invested with Flex Energy, was officially inaugurated in Sao Paulo, Brazil on December 8. With a production capacity of approximately 400MW, the fab will supply majorly of its modules to Canadian Solar’s downstream solar power projects.

Brazil is one of Latin America’s largest solar markets as well as an emerging market to the world. The Brazilian government prompts domestic demand to solar via holding national tender programs, while the country encourages overseas capitals to invest in establishing local manufacturing facilities. There are already five internationally invested module fabs built and operated in Brazil, of which the companies include BYD and Globo Solar.

The 400MW module fab developed by Canadian Solar and Flex Energy was completed with an investment of around 80 million Brazilian Reals (approximately US$24 million). It is now the largest PV module manufacturing site in Brazil.

“The new factory will supply its products to our projects and the domestic market,” said the President and CEO of Canadian Solar Shawn Qu, during the inauguration ceremony, according to PV Magazine.

Canadian Solar currently has a solar project portfolio of 390MW in Brazil, and most of them are scheduled to be commenced commercial operation in 2017 and 2018.

The co-built PV module factory was supported by the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of the State Government of Sao Paulo (Investe Sao Paulo) and the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (Apex-Brasil). After the construction, the factory created approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

(Photo source: Leimenide via Flickr shared by CC 2.0)