Singapore-based solar manufacturer Gstar Solar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Middle Eastern investment firm Siraj Group to construct a 2GW module factory in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The factory is scheduled to break ground in November. Although the type of modules to be used has not been disclosed, sources indicate that it will feature "high-efficiency n-type technology."

Middle Eastern Manufacturing Hub

Last month, Saudi Arabia signed two agreements to introduce 30GW of domestic manufacturing capacity. The first agreement is with Lumetech, a subsidiary of TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy, to establish a 20GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant. The second agreement is with JinkoSolar to establish a 10GW TOPCon solar cell and module plant. On the upstream polysilicon front, GCL Technology, a subsidiary of GCL Group, announced on the evening of June 3 that it would explore potential cooperation with Mubadala Investment Company PJSC ("Mubadala Sovereign Wealth Fund") to establish a globally and regionally significant integrated silicon ecosystem in the UAE.

Gstar Manufacturing Expansion

Gstar's MoU in the Middle East is the latest global expansion of its solar manufacturing business. Earlier this month, the company made progress on its solar cell factory in Thailand. In Thailand, the company has started producing its first phase of n-type solar cells with an annual nameplate capacity of 3GW. Gstar plans to achieve an 8GW annual nameplate capacity at this factory. The first batch of n-type solar cells produced at the factory measures 183.75mm in size and boasts an efficiency of 25.2%. The factory is located in the Rayong Rubber Industrial Estate in Thailand, covering a total area of 120,000 square meters, with a total investment of $300 million. Additionally, the company has broken ground on a 700 million yuan ($100 million) solar PV aluminum frame and mounting system manufacturing plant with a 7GW capacity in Laos. The plant is located in the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone, and the first phase broke ground earlier this month. According to Gstar, once operational, the factory's nameplate capacity will reach 30,000 tons, meeting the frame requirements for 7GW of PV modules. The second phase targets an annual nameplate capacity increase to 12GW. Earlier this year, the company began constructing a 3GW silicon rod and 3GW silicon wafer plant in Indonesia. The solar wafer plant, producing 182mm and 210mm silicon wafers, is expected to start production by the end of 2024.

Source：PV