German AE Solar to open solar panel factory in Turkey in April

In partnership with Energate Corp., AE Solar scheduled the launch of production at its factory in Kayseri in Turkey for April. The German company intends to bring the annual output of solar modules in the facility up to 1 GW by the end of the year.

Eighteen years after starting its business, AE Solar revealed it would begin to produce solar panels in the central part of Turkey. The company based in Königsbrunn, Germany, operates in more than 90 countries.

The photovoltaic module plant in Kayseri is being developed as a joint venture with Energate Corp. from the United States. The company said it plans to open it in April and lift the capacity to 1 GW per year by the end of December.

Company’s strategy is based on premium products

AE Solar already has factories in China and Georgia. AE stands for alternative energy. The German producer leans on high-end products and design for residential facilities and companies, particularly its ultra-black Eclipse line.

Turkey has measures in place to limit imports of energy equipment

According to its website, it installed and commissioned more than 3,200 solar units. AE Solar stressed it sold 511 MW in capacity in Vietnam since September. Chief Executive Officer Alexander Maier founded the company with his brothers.

Future plant enables worldwide expansion

AE Solar said it would focus its expansion plans on Turkey, the US, Europe, South America, the Middle East and North Africa. The solar cells in Kayseri will be available with edge lengths of 166, 182 and 210 millimetres and five and 12 busbars.

Turkey aims to limit imports of energy equipment and support locally sourced products and services in the sector. Kalyon and China’s CETC opened a manufacturing complex in August for all components for solar power panels. The factory in Ankara was built to supply the products to the 1 GW photovoltaic project in Karapınar in central Turkey.