By: Franyi Sarmiento, Ph.D., Inspenet, August 2, 2022
Universal Solar announced in a press release that it will open a photovoltaic module factory in Panama. According to the company, the decision is part of a strategy to avoid “many of the constraints affecting the U.S. solar industry today, particularly supply issues related to Asian manufacturers,” according to the company’s CEO and founder, John Bereckis.
“These constraints include existing tariffs and the threat of additional tariffs; COVID-related factory closures, shipment delays and price hikes; and the federal ban on silicon-containing products from Hoshine, China,” Bereckis said, adding, “The prospect of imposing tariffs on other Asian countries has shaken up the supply chain, despite the Biden administration’s two-year pause. Modules from Central America will offer U.S. developers a much-needed alternative.”
Universal Solar indicates that it is already accepting orders, with delivery expected later this year. The company claims to have signed service agreements for more than 400 MW of modules, and says it is negotiating another 175 MW, “which would amount to almost the entire frontline capacity of the 600 MW factory.”
The 18,580-square-meter facility is located in the Colon Container Terminal Logistics Park, a free trade zone where goods are imported and exported without incurring taxes or duties or being declared.
According to the company’s press release, “the first lines of modules will range from 350 to 545 watts. All will be high efficiency (20.04 to 21.46%), low LID, mono PERC and some will feature half-cell technology. Universal Solar will offer linear power warranties of 25 to 30 years and material and labor warranties of 12 to 15 years.” Shipments from the Panamanian plant are expected to arrive at any U.S. port in approximately five days.
This material from the AmbienteSoluciones portal was edited for clarity, style and length.
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