Meyer Burger Technology AG (SWX:MBTN) will expand the production capacity of its solar module factory in Freiberg, Germany, to 1.4 GW in 2023 instead of the initially planned 1 GW.
The Swiss manufacturer said today it will use space in its logistics centre near the existing plant to develop a new 400-MW module production facility.
For the additional capacity in Freiberg, Meyer Burger will use solar cells from its factory in Thalheim, Germany, which were previously intended for solar module production in the US.
Thus, the expansion efforts will focus on Germany instead of the US as a response to the tense logistics and supply chain situation caused by the war in Ukraine. The focus on the operations in Germany will enable the company to benefit from available synergies and the elimination of long transport times for machines to the US as well as reduce supply chain risks.
Meyer Burger noted that it is sticking to the plan to build a solar module factory with an annual capacity of up to 1.5 GW in Goodyear, Arizona, in the medium term. Preparations already began, as planned, in the first quarter of this year.
To ensure solar cell production capacity beyond 1.4 GW, the manufacturer has already obtained a long-term lease on an additional building in Thalheim and will begin preparing for the further development of production.
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