BELLINGHAM, Wash. & OSLO, Norway–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#PVsolar–Silfab Solar, a North American leader in photo-voltaic (PV) module manufacturing, and NorSun, an experienced Norwegian ingot and wafer manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of understanding to supply a clean source of Western-produced silicon wafers.
The agreement continues Silfab’s strategic initiatives to onshore and strengthen its supply chain and increase domestic sourcing as it adds 1 gigawatt (GW) of USA-made cell production and expand annual made-in-America module production by an additional 1.3 gigawatts as early as mid-2024. NorSun is planning to build a 5 GW ingot and wafer production facility in the USA. With the support of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Silfab and now, NorSun, have a strong commitment to continue building the North American solar value chain to continue to supply the U.S. market with the most ethically sourced, highest-quality, top-performing solar panels for residential and commercial customers.
“NorSun is a leader in wafer production not sourced from China and provides Silfab a vital component that further strengthens the independence of our U.S. supply chain and leadership position for innovation and quality solar products,” says Paolo Maccario, CEO of Silfab. “This collaboration with NorSun to open wafer production in the United States adds strategic value to Silfab’s unwavering commitment to supply North America with domestically produced, high-performing solar panels.”
“We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with Silfab and share the long-term ambition to build a competitive Western PV value chain. The agreement with potential significant volumes fits well with our strategy to enter the U.S. market and to expand the NorSun production capacity. As a leading PV wafer producer in the western world, NorSun’s ambition is to play an instrumental role in the U.S. and European efforts to rebuild the PV value chain. It will be exiting to go this route with a recognized player like Silfab in the U.S. and Canada,” says Erik Løkke-Øwre, CEO of NorSun.
The agreement allows Silfab to increase its share of U.S. and European-sourced “clean” wafers and to further lower the carbon footprint of its high-performance solar modules. NorSun recently raised $8.5 million (NOK 90 million) in new equity to further develop growth projects in the U.S. and Europe. Meanwhile, Silfab is utilizing a $125 million investment round to open its third U.S. facility to meet increasing demand for its high-performing, industry-leading PV modules and to begin manufacturing its own solar cells.
For more information about Silfab’s superior solar products, visit: www.silfabsolar.com
About Silfab Solar
Silfab Solar is the North American leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-efficiency, premium quality PV modules. Silfab leverages more than 40 years of solar experience and best-in-class technologies to produce the highest- rated solar modules from facilities in the state of Washington and Toronto, Canada. Each facility features multiple automated production lines, an ISO 9001:2015-accredited Quality Management System, and just-in-time manufacturing to deliver Buy American approved PV modules specifically designed for and dedicated to the North American market.
About NorSun AS
NorSun has since the startup in 2007, been the leading western producer of monocrystalline ingots and wafers for ultra-high efficiency solar cells. Wafer production at the NorSun factory in the village of Årdal, Norway, is based on hydroelectric power, and the company is widely recognized for its high-performance products with minimal CO2 footprint and with the highest standards in corporate environmental and social responsibility. NorSun’s strategy is to capitalize on the extreme growth in the PV industry and capture a leading market share in the ingot and wafer part of the PV value chain. The company is headquartered in Oslo with production facilities in Årdal on the western coast of Norway and employs around 200 employees. NorSun is privately held. www.norsun.no
Contacts
Silfab Solar:
Geoff Atkins
Email: g.atkins@silfabsolar.com
Tel: +1-905-255-2501 Ext. 737
NorSun AS
CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre
Erik.Lokke-Owre@norsun.no
M. +47 94 88 87 12
