The company will manufacture its E20/440 solar panels at the new facility, which will also accommodate its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operations & management (O&M) offices.
The facility, which is scheduled to open in 2015, will consolidate SunPower’s South African business into single building.
SunPower COO Marty Neese said: "SunPower has a significant presence in the South African solar market, including two large power plants built this year and another one that will begin construction soon. By manufacturing our high efficiency solar panels at this new facility, we will not only help the local economy, but continue to deliver clean, renewable energy to this region.
"Our investment in this new plant is part of our commitment to the local South African PV market, and meets our objective to build a sustainable business through local investment and create jobs in the medium and long-term."
Earlier in 2014, SunPower completed construction of two ground-mounted solar projects, totaling 33MW, near Douglas in the Northern Cape Town province.
SunPower was also appointed as the preferred EPC and O&M contractor for an 86MW project in the round three of the South African government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement program.
The company currently operates solar panel manufacturing plants in North America, Europe and Asia.
Image: SunPower will manufacture its E20/440 solar panels at the new facility in South Africa. Photo: Courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
