Mass producƟ on of Alpha Series solar modules commences in Singapore They will be able to generate more power than convenƟ onal panels over the same area

MASS PRODUCTION OF ALPHA SERIES SOLAR MODULES COMMENCES IN SINGAPORE

A further demonstraƟ on of the manufacturer’s commitment to promoƟ ng the use of clean energy.

REC Group, an internaƟ onal pioneering solar energy company recently announced that the producƟ on of the REC Alpha Series solar panel has started in Tuas, Singapore. The world’s highest power 60-cell module is now rolling off the line at a rate of 5,000 panels per week, which will be ramped up to over 30,000 panels per week, by early 2020. To produce the REC Alpha Series, REC has invested a total of USD 150 million into the company’s state-of-theart site and developed a new ‘Industry 4.0’ cell fab. The project was completed in record Ɵ me, through close collaboraƟ on with Meyer Burger in Singapore, Germany and Switzerland and over 250 contractors on site, who worked round-the-clock to build new faciliƟ es and infrastructure as well as specialised producƟ on equipment. This step amounts to an addiƟ onal 600 MW of heterojuncƟ on (HJT) cell and module capacity, bringing REC Group’s total module capacity in Singapore to 1.8 GW annually. With this expansion, the REC Tuas operaƟ on has become one of the largest and most advanced solar PV manufacturing operaƟ ons. For Alpha, REC has brought on-board and trained more than 300 new employees in all funcƟ onal areas. The mass producƟ on start came just a couple of weeks before the start of the Asia Clean Energy Summit 2019 (ACES), a conference dedicated to collaboraƟ on on critical issues and opportuniƟ es in harnessing clean energy for the future. ACES 2019 was held in Singapore, from 30 October to 1 November 2019. Alpha was iniƟ ally launched at Intersolar Europe on 15 May 2019. From an iniƟ al producƟ on, 25,000 modules were already shipped all around the world, with the fi rst rooŌ op systems installed in Italy, the Netherlands, US, New Zealand and Japan. For homeowners, Alpha is an ideal rooŌ op module to drasƟ cally reduce their electricity bills and lead the shiŌ towards a cleaner future by going solar with the latest technology. UƟ lising advanced commercialised technology, the REC 60-cell Alpha Series solar panel delivers up to 380 WaƩ - peak (Wp). This translates to a leading power density of 217 W/m², providing 20% more power than convenƟ onal panels over the same area. “Our dedicated goal is to empower consumers. And we know that only with big leaps, the global energy transiƟ on can thrive. Alpha is a crucial tool for homeowners to do exactly this and gain energy autonomy”, said Steve O’Neil, CEO, REC. “It is a bold move jumping to HJT, and it is also very bold to do 600 MW in one shot - but being bold and innovaƟ ve is in REC’s DNA. And Singapore is the perfect locaƟ on

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER February 2020 An exterior view of the REC Group’s facility in Singapore.

REC Group has commenced producƟ on of REC Alpha Series solar panels.

to do this. With close to 10 GW of REC solar panels manufactured and installed worldwide to-date, generaƟ ng almost 13 TWh of clean energy and empowering more than 16 million people at their homes, REC Group is a credible advocate for the global energy transiƟ on”, said Shankar G Sridhara, Chief Technology Offi cer, REC.

Close-up views of the Alpha Series solar panel.

The fully integrated and automated site, with its own 3.2 MW solar array on its roof, is operated by REC since 2010, allowing for reliable, effi cient and cuƫ ng-edge manufacturing. The quality of engineers and workers is superior in Singapore, as such off ering long-standing experƟ se when it comes to key competencies as in semiconductor technology. Furthermore, the Singapore government is heavily supporƟ ve of solar energy, as are insƟ tuƟ ons like the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Solar Energy Research InsƟ tute of Singapore (SERIS) and the Energy Research InsƟ tute @ NTU, all of which are closely collaboraƟ ng with REC on ambiƟ ous projects in the PV industry. This mix of commitment and producƟ on excellence represents the ideal condiƟ on not only for producing the REC Alpha Series today, it also facilitated signifi cant solar innovaƟ ons by REC already in the past. This includes halfcut cells and the award-winning twin panel design, both signifi cant technology milestones which were developed by REC and have been well-received in the market.

REC panels are not only manufactured but are also designed and developed in Singapore. As such, Tuas is REC’s global operaƟ onal headquarters and home to the brand’s global centre for research, development and engineering. Most recently, Alpha has been granted all 12 design applicaƟ ons by the Intellectual Property Offi ce of Singapore, acknowledging REC’s dedicaƟ on in funcƟ onal aestheƟ cs. “We are delighted that REC has chosen to further invest in and deepen its manufacturing presence in Singapore. REC’s decision speaks to the value that Singapore brings to complex manufacturers. Advanced technological capabilities from Singapore’s established manufacturing and research base, as well as a skilled workforce will enable companies like REC to develop and manufacture increasingly complex products, while contributing towards energy sustainability. We look forward to a continued partnership with REC to develop expertise in leading-edge solar cells, modules and systems”, said Mr Damian Chan, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board.

REC Group Founded in Norway in 1996, REC Group is a leading verƟ cally integrated solar energy company. Through integrated manufacturing from silicon to wafers, cells, high-quality panels and extending to solar soluƟ ons, REC Group provides the world with a reliable source of clean energy. REC’s product quality is supported by the lowest warranty claims rate in the industry. REC Group is a Bluestar Elkem company with headquarters in Norway and operaƟ onal headquarters in Singapore. REC Group employs 2,000 people worldwide, producing 1.5 GW of solar panels annually.