US solar co tenKsolar to open factories in Thailand

Dec 18, 2014 - US solar photovoltaic (PV) systems maker tenKsolar said yesterday it plans to open plants in Thailand for module assembly and lamination.

The Minneapolis-based firm currently has manufacturing sites in Shanghai, China and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the past year, tenKsolar expanded its production capacity twice, CEO Joel Cannon noted, adding that “2015 shows no sign of slowing down.” First shipments from Thailand are planned to begin in February 2015.

Via the addition of new production lines, tenKsolar will be able to respond to growing demand for its RAIS PV systems and diversify its supply chain, it explained. "This move also positions tenK as a go-to supplier for customers concerned about the impacts of recent US trade actions against China and Taiwan,” Cannon noted.

The firm provides commercial rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems using its RAIS module technology. It involves the deployment of standard silicon solar cells and power electronics that are laminated into a robust package.

Earlier this week, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) levied final anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties of up to 165% and 49.79%, respectively, on imports of crystalline silicon PV products from China and Taiwan. The tariffs have to be approved by the the International Trade Commission (ITC) in January. If that happens, they will go into effect around February 1.

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