A plant with the capacity for the production of 200,000 solar panels a year was launched in Slatina by a venture of J. v. G. Thoma GmbH of Germany and local firm J.v.G Jaha Energy. One tenth of volume is for the local market, while the rest will be exported globally, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said. The initial Kosovo*-German investment for the factory was EUR 5 million, and 50 people have been hired.
The Desert technology solar panels are made for use in high temperatures, with an enhanced life span. The facility with 3,000 square metres also has BYD storage systems from 10 kWh to 120 kWh, modules and power plant components in the portfolio. The speaker of Kosovo* Assembly Kadri Veseli, ambassador of Germany Angelika Viets, and minister of labour and social welfare Arban Abrashi were present at the inauguration ceremony.
USAID has collaborated with Jaha Energy through the Empower Private Sector programme. Training on solar panel installation techniques and best practices was organized in May and brought together over 45 representatives of solar panel installers across Kosovo*. The company is partnering with Empower in launching the 10,000 Solar Roofs initiative.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
