Elin Energy opens U.S. solar module manufacturing facility

European PV panel maker Elin Energy opened its first manufacturing facility in the United States. The 225,000-square-foot solar panel assembly facility located in Waller County near Houston Texas, has the capacity to manufacture 2,000 MW annually and features two solar panel manufacturing lines.

Elin is currently leasing the site in Twinwood Business Park from Welcome Group, a Houston-based leader in single-tenant real estate development and property management. Production began on March 5. The facility will produce only modules. Currently, cells are being sourced from Thailand.

“The facility [Elin has leased] was designed with generous bay spacing, clear height and upgraded power to accommodate and upgraded power to accommodate a variety of manufacturing needs,” said Welcome Wilson Jr., President & CEO of the Welcome Group. “Elin Energy’s state-of-the-art solar manufacturing equipment easily fit into the building footprint. The first equipment lines are installed, and the future equipment lines have been ordered.”

The construction was completed in under six months by design-build firm, KDW, a full-service design-build firm specializing in customized industrial and commercial construction. “The equipment delivery demanded an aggressive schedule which made it essential that all parties involved have a heightened level of coordination and cooperation,” said KDW Construction Manager Bryan Harrison.

The facility will catapult Elin’s growth in the Western hemisphere and reinforces its commitment to sustainable energy production and innovation. Elin utilizes highly efficient designs to boost the productivity of solar panels, which require less space than traditional systems while producing equivalent electricity.

Elin employs more than 100 associates locally with plans to scale up to 500 associates as the company increases production. Elin Energy joins several international solar energy brands setting up manufacturing operations in Texas.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: https://solarbuildermag.com/news/elin-energy-opens-u-s-solar-module-manufacturing-facility/]