Canadian Solar has launched its first manufacturing plant in the United States, opening a 5 GW TOPCon module assembly line in Mesquite, Texas.
Factory to Produce around 20,000 PV Modules Daily
Canadian Solar is a global leader in solar technology and the renewable energy sector. The company is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, a provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and a developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects, all supported by a diverse and expanding global pipeline.
Located in Mesquite, the company’s new 5 GW factory will assemble Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) photovoltaic (PV) modules. With a workforce of 1,500, the Canadian Solar Mesquite plant can produce approximately 20,000 PV modules per day. The total investment for the project is estimated at USD 250 million (EUR 231.5m).
“Canadian Solar’s new $250 million manufacturing plant in Mesquite will bolster Texas’ status as the energy capital of the world and secure our leadership as a global tech hub,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank Canadian Solar for choosing Texas for their next U.S. business investment and for creating 1,500 new jobs in the region, which will help boost the community for generations to come.”
Shipments from the facility commenced earlier this year, when the company sent its first US-manufactured 700 Wp TOPCon modules to solar distributor Signature Solar.
Company Plans 5-GW Solar Cell Production in Indiana
Canadian Solar has already begun receiving orders for the Texas plant’s output and in March finalized a framework agreement to supply a substantial quantity of modules to renewables firm Sol Systems for the 2024-2025 period.
To support this growth, the company is also building a 5 GW solar cell production facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This plant is another key part of Canadian Solar’s manufacturing locations in the US and will supply the Texas module assembly plant.
Canadian Solar Ranks Fourth in Wood Mackenzie’s 2024 Report
Earlier this week, Canadian Solar ranked fourth in Wood Mackenzie’s top 12 rankings with a score of 78.5 out of 100, trailing JA Solar, Trina Solar, and JinkoSolar. Among the top five Chinese manufacturers—Jinko, Trina Solar, LONGi, JA Solar, and Canadian Solar—it was one of the few to maintain a profit in the first quarter of 2024, albeit at a slower pace than in the same period last year.
Regarding Canadian Solar Q1 2024 module shipments, the company reported 6.3 GW, a slight increase of 200 MW compared to the same period the previous year. Throughout 2023, the company shipped over 30 GW of solar modules.
Over the past 22 years, Canadian Solar has delivered approximately 94 GW of premium-quality solar photovoltaic modules to customers worldwide. Since entering the project development business in 2010, the company has developed, built, and connected over 8.8 GWp in more than 20 countries.
Currently, Canadian Solar has a robust project pipeline, with around 609 MWp of projects in operation, 6.9 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 17.7 GWp of projects in its advanced and early-stage pipeline. Recognized as one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, Canadian Solar has been publicly listed on NASDAQ since 2006.