Argentina's First Solar Module Plant Set to Commence Production

Image: Matias Avramow

Argentina's inaugural solar module manufacturing facility is poised to begin operations. The plant will be operated by the state-owned company Empresa Provincial Societaria del Estado (EPSE), which is also responsible for energy production and distribution in San Juan Province, Argentina.

It is reported that the plant will initially utilize imported raw materials to produce solar photovoltaic modules, with plans to manufacture 800,000 solar modules annually, achieving a total capacity of 450 MW. Subsequently, the facility will expand production to include silicon ingots, wafers, and solar cells.

“In fact, our plan is to double production in the short term and become a ‘super factory,’” stated Lucas Estrada, President of EPSE. “The plant was designed with future scalability in mind, featuring space to double its equipment capacity. Production is expected to rapidly scale up to 1 GW.”

According to Dialogue Earth, the plant comprises two sections:

A photovoltaic module production area;

A silicon ingot, wafer, and cell production area.

During an April tour of the site, the media outlet observed that construction of the module assembly section was nearing completion. “We are conducting quality tests on the final machinery, and production is expected to begin very soon,” Estrada commented, adding that production is tentatively scheduled to commence in September.

It is understood that the solar cells required for assembling panels at the plant will be mainly imported from China initially. Other critical components—including batteries and power inverters—will also be sourced from China.