Markets & Policy

Midsummer, Kaisheng partner on thin-film solar production

China’s Kaisheng New Energy Technology has agreed to produce a new line of thin-film solar panels for rooftops under an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with Sweden’s Midsummer. The modules will be exclusive to the European rooftop market through Midsummer.
Patrick Jowett
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Patrick Jowett
Image: Midsummer

Midsummer, a Swedish thin-film solar manufacturer, has signed an OEM agreement with Kaisheng New Energy Technology. The Chinese company will produce thin-film rooftop products for Midsummer under the partnership.

Midsummer said that production will use a CIGS thin-film solar technology slightly different from its previous development, but with the same certifications and quality assurance. The panels will be exclusively available to the European rooftop market through Midsummer.

Midsummer will market the new product as BOLD S, in line with its existing BOLD panel for large flat or near-flat low-load-bearing rooftops, primarily on commercial and industrial buildings.

“We can provide our customers with products even in times of production constraints in our own European factories,” said Midsummer CEO Eric Jaremalm. “We can address a new market that is more price sensitive. And we gain valuable insights into a slightly different but complementary thin film technology.”

He said that in the short term, it will allow the companies to scale up quickly and address a price- sensitive segment of the European market.

“Asian panels still have favorable treatment by the EU in terms of customs duties etc and have a price advantage compared with European products that some customers value,” said Jaremalm.

Midsummer is now building a 200 MW CIGS solar module factory. It said earlier this week that it will be located in southeastern Sweden.

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