Meyer Burger Technology announced plans to establish a production site for solar modules in the United States.
This investment is in line with Meyer Burger’s commitments to produce modules near end-customers, source material from regional suppliers, reduce supply chain delays, and improve overall sustainability by reducing transportation emissions and optimizing the carbon footprint of the company’s solar modules.
Meyer Burger is currently in discussions with several U.S. states to determine the final site location. A decision is expected by year-end 2021. The decision to expand the company’s solar energy supply chain to the U.S. is supported by a strong domestic solar market and positive economic policy conditions.
The initial production capacity will be 400 MW – with potential for further growth to multiple gigawatts capacity – and will include capabilities to manufacture solar modules for residential, commercial / industrial rooftop, and utility-scale applications.
Production is expected to be operational by the end of 2022, and, at full capacity, the new facility is expected to employ hundreds of skilled manufacturing workers.
Meyer Burger CEO Gunter Erfurt said: “Our proprietary Heterojunction cell technology and patented SmartWire module technology enable us to produce the highest quality and highest performance products for economically competitive solar energy for our customers.”
Meyer Burger is considering a shortlist of several U.S. states for the company’s facility. Key criteria for site selection include existing facilities, regulatory, and tax frameworks, state and local economic development programs, available skilled workforce capacity, proximity to transportation infrastructure, renewable power supply, and local community commitment.
Ardes Johnson, President of Meyer Burger Americas, said: “We are encouraged by bipartisan support for domestic manufacturing of solar infrastructure to secure true energy independence and control of our future. It is critical for the U.S. to develop its domestic supply chain and de-risk itself from heavy dependence on Asia.”