Construction starts at Malaysian solar manufacturing facility
Twin Creeks Technologies has broken ground on its new 100-megawatt, solar cell and panel manufacturing facility in Ipoh, Malaysia.
It is a joint venture between Twin Creeks Technologies and the Perak State Economic Development Corporation through its associate company, The Red Solar Inc., the new 250,000 square-foot production facility, Twin Creeks Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
"Over the long term, energy needs across the world are projected to increase – and renewable sources such as solar will play an important role in fulfilling those needs," said Siva Sivaram, CEO of Twin Creeks Technologies. "The government of Malaysia recognizes the need to move away from purely fossil fuel based energy production and we are proud today to announce the groundbreaking of our first solar panel manufacturing facility in Malaysia. With their support, this plant will bring economic development and clean, reliable, domestic-sourced solar energy."
The TCMSB facility will expand production of Twin Creeks' proprietary crystalline silicon photovoltaic technology to address the growing solar market in Malaysia and ASEAN countries. Phase one output of the facility will be 100-megawatts(MW) with an expansion agreement to reach 500-MW of crystalline silicon-based solar cell and panel capacity. Expected to have a considerable impact to job creation within the state of Perak, the TCMSB facility will be built in multiple phases. Once in full production in 2012, Twin Creeks' solar modules will enable an immediate "grid parity" with the conventional means of producing electricity at an average delivered cost that is competitive with fossil fuels.
"Combined with responsible development of solar panels and new technologies, Twin Creeks Technologies will help to secure our energy independence, strengthen our national and economic security and conserve our natural resources," said Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB TansriMuhyidddin Bin HjMohdYassin. "I am proud to participate in this groundbreaking event."