Solar cell factory to double capacity

SunPower Corp is to expand the manufacturing capacity of its solar cell factory in the Philippines to 50MW by the second half of next year - doubling its current capacity.

SunPower Corp is to expand the manufacturing capacity of its solar cell factory in the Philippines to 50MW by the second half of next year - doubling its current capacity.

This capacity expansion will allow SunPower to better meet the high levels of demand for its solar cells and modules following their market introduction earlier in 2004.

The new production line will be constructed within the company's existing 21,000m2 SunPower Manufacturing facility near Manila, which the company opened in March of this year.

The building footprint is designed to allow future capacity expansion to more than 100MW - approximately 32 million wafers per year.

Demand for solar electric systems has been growing rapidly.

According to Strategies Unlimited, a leading independent market research firm, industry shipments are projected to have increased by 47% to more than 990MW in 2004 and have grown on average by more than 40% annually over the past five years.

"SunPower's solar cells and modules combine the industry's highest performance with a uniquely attractive appearance", said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corp.

"Following the launch of our product line this past June, demand has far exceeded the capacity of our first 25MW production line".

"This new capacity will enable us to better serve our existing customer base and to pursue new market opportunities".

Back to top