Talesun, ARTsolar open 325 MW module factory in South Africa

China's Talesun and South African panel manufacturer ARTsolar have opened a PV module factory in the South African city of New Germany, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The new facility will assemble high-efficiency large-format PV modules, according to the two companies.

They were prompted to open the facility to supply into the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Programs such as the RMIPPP and the REIPPP.

“We have been awaiting such commitment for the past 12 years and always held the belief that this sector will receive the impetus and support of government,” said Eshu Seevnarayan, the chairman of ARTsolar. “With such continued support we anticipate implementing a second 500MW capacity line in the near future.”

Talesun said it expects the plant to serve as a “catalyst and model for the quality-focused development of” the South African PV industry.

ARTsolar currently operates a 325 MW module assembly facility in Durban, in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. It manufactures mono- and polycrystalline modules of different power ranges. The manufacturing facility features production equipment originally designed for Bosch in Germany.

*This article was updated on 15/11/2022 to reflect the location of the facility, the names of the renewable energy programs, and details about ARTsolar's module assembly facility.