Japan-based tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell manufacturer Toyo has announced plans to build a 2 GW cell manufacturing facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia.
The company said it will initially invest $60 million in the new $31,500 million2 factory.
“Toyo expects to begin equipping the new factory in November 2024, with the new factory expected to begin production at the end of the first quarter of 2025,” the company said in a statement. “Ethiopia is exempt from tariffs on bifacial solar cells under Section 201 of the US Trade Act of 1974.”
The Tokyo-based manufacturer produces two types of cells at its 3 GW factory in Vietnam. These cells are said to perform well in low light conditions, achieving a relative conversion efficiency of over 97% under 200 W/m2. They offer an anterior conversion efficiency of 25.3% and a bifacial efficiency of approximately 85% compared to the anterior.
In September, the company announced plans to open a 2 GW solar panel factory in the United States and filed to raise $100 million for a future TOPCOn solar cell facility.
This content is copyrighted and may not be reused. If you would like to collaborate with us and reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.