Elin Energy Begins Solar Manufacturing Facility In US

A recent report by Norwegian analyst DNV has shown that China will have more than quintuple renewable energy installations by 2050.

Elin Energy, the European PV panel maker, has announced the commissioning of its first manufacturing facility in the United States. Elin is currently leasing the site in Twinwood Business Park from Welcome Group, a Houston-based leader in single-tenant real estate development and property management. Production began on March 5. The facility will produce only modules. Currently, cells are being sourced from Thailand.

The factory spans over 225,000 square feet and is located in the southern state of Texas at Waller County near Houston.

European PV panel maker Elin Energy opened its first manufacturing facility in the United States. The 225,000-square-foot solar panel assembly facility located in Waller County near Houston, Texas, can manufacture 2,000 MW annually and features two solar panel manufacturing lines.

The facility was designed with generous bay spacing, clear height, and upgraded power to accommodate and upgraded power to accommodate a variety of manufacturing needs,” said Welcome Wilson Jr., President & CEO of the Welcome Group. He also added, “Elin Energy’s state-of-the-art solar manufacturing equipment easily fits into the building footprint. The first equipment lines are installed, and the future equipment lines have been ordered.”

The facility was designed with generous bay spacing, clear height, and upgraded power to accommodate and upgraded power to accommodate a variety of manufacturing needs,” said Welcome Wilson Jr., President & CEO of the Welcome Group. “Elin Energy’s state-of-the-art solar manufacturing equipment easily fit into the building footprint. The first equipment lines are installed, and the future equipment lines have been ordered.”

The construction was completed in under six months by design-build firm, KDW, a full-service design-build firm specializing in customized industrial and commercial construction. “The equipment delivery demanded an aggressive schedule which made it essential that all parties involved have a heightened level of coordination and cooperation,” said KDW Construction Manager Bryan Harrison. Elin Energy has been using advanced automated production lines, precision engineering, and meticulous quality control to ensure that every solar panel leaving the factory is of the highest quality and efficiency. This commitment to excellence not only produces top-tier solar panels but also provides opportunities for local residents to acquire advanced skills and knowledge.

According to the US Solar Energy Industries Association, the US solar industry installed 32.4 gigawatts-direct current (GWdc) of capacity in 2023, a remarkable 51% increase over 2022. The report also delved into residential solar that grew 12%, adding 6.8 GWdc of capacity as installations surged in California as customers rushed to take advantage of more favorable net metering rules before the switch to net billing in April. Overall, photovoltaic (PV) solar accounted for 53% of all new electricity-generating capacity additions in 2023.