Leviste-led firm to build solar panel plant in PH

LOCAL solar energy developer Solar Philippines has unveiled plans to build one of the world’s largest solar panel factories in Tanauan, Batangas, an initiative seen in line with a vision to catapult the country into becoming a global solar powerhouse.

The facility—which will be completed in three years—will be designed for an eventual capacity of 2 gigawatts, with the first section scheduled to start operations by the end of 2016, the company said yesterday.

Using state-of-the-art German technology, the Batangas facility seeks to produce high-efficiency solar panels at the lowest possible costs. The new project is seen to create more than 6,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs, and operate on 100-percent solar power.

Given the skills and productivity of Filipino workers, Solar Philippines believes the country could become a solar panel manufacturing hub that will be competitive in terms of quality and cost.

“Solar manufacturing is moving from China to Southeast Asia, and we believe the Philippines can lead that trend. Filipinos are among the best workers in the world, and the large local solar market can add to the demand for otherwise export-only factories,” Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste said in a statement.

Solar Philippines said it had received offers from several of the world’s largest solar manufacturers to become partners in this venture. It has started the procurement process for manufacturing equipment and will start setting up the facility in the third quarter of 2016.

Leviste said among the objectives of the facility were to lower panel costs, take control of the supply chain and support the new administration’s agenda to bring manufacturing to the Philippines.

“This is a key step toward lowering solar costs, enabling us to produce electricity cheaper than coal. Instead of importing expensive fuel from other countries, we will manufacture here in the Philippines. Soon enough, our country can become the Saudi Arabia of solar, a leading energy exporter, and ‘made in the Philippines’ panels will be used around the world,” he said.

Initially, the panels to be produced in the factory will be used for the company’s own projects, and later exported to the US and Europe. The company forecasts a minimum demand of 500 megawatts by mid-2017.