JinkSolar, one the world's largest manufacturers of solar modules, has begun construction on a $500 million monocrystalline ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Vietnam.
The facility will have an annual manufacturing capacity of 7 GW and will be operational in the first quarter of 2022. The company said the new facility will provide additional content for modules assembled in Jacksonville, Florida.
"The decision to build a facility in Vietnam is one component of our strategy to ensure the long-term stability of our global supply chain," JinkoSolar General Manager Nigel Cockroft said in a statement. "We expect demand for clean energy to continue to accelerate over the next few years and will continue to optimize our global supply chain management to ensure the steady supply of premium modules to our customers."
Both of Jacksonville, Florida's representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives cheered the announcement by JinkoSolar.
"This country needs a smart approach to energy policy, and Jacksonville-based JinkoSolar US is providing good, high-paying jobs in a state-of-the-art solar facility," said Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL). "I congratulate them on their efforts to provide a U.S. supply chain which increases business certainty and ensures JinkoSolar US will continue to flourish in Jacksonville."
"I am proud to have a leader in renewable energy in my own backyard, employing hundreds of Floridians at its facility," said Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL). "With this new $500 million announcement, JinkoSolar US is clearly committed to a supply chain that helps realize the energy goals of the Biden Administration."
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