Photovoltaics manufacturing in Malaysia

In 2014, Malaysia was the world's third largest manufacturer of photovoltaics equipment, behind China and the European Union.^[1]

In 2013, Malaysia's total production capacity for solar wafers, solar cells and solar panels totalled 4,042 MW.^[2]

Background

Malaysia is a major hub for solar equipment manufacturing, with factories of companies like First Solar, Panasonic, TS Solartech, Jinko Solar, JA Solar, SunPower, Q-Cells,and SunEdison in locations like Kulim, Penang, Malacca, Cyberjaya, and Ipoh.^[1][3]

Many international companies have the majority of production capacity located in Malaysia, such as the American company First Solar which has over 2000 MW of production capacity located in Kulim and only 280 MW located in Ohio,^[4] and German-based Q-Cells which produces 1,100 MW worth of solar cells in Cyberjaya while producing only 200 MW worth of solar cells in Germany. SunPower's largest manufacturing facility with a capacity of 1400 MW is also located in Malacca.^[1][5]

Major manufacturing facilities

Malaysian companies

• TS Solartech^[6]
  • Location: Penang Science Park
    • Capacity: 150 MW (solar cells)
    • Production lines: 3

Foreign companies

• First Solar^[7]
  • Location: Kulim Hi-Tech Park
    • Capacity: 2000 MW (solar cells), 100 MW (solar modules)
    • Production lines: 24
• JA Solar^[8]
  • Location: Penang
    • Capacity: 400 MW (solar cells)
• Jinko Solar^[9]
  • Location: Penang
    • Capacity: 500 MW (solar cells), 450 MW (solar modules)
    • Production lines: 7
• Panasonic Energy Malaysia^[10]
  • Location: Kulim Hi-Tech Park
    • Capacity: 300 MW
• Q-Cells Malaysia^[11]
  • Location: Cyberjaya
    • Capacity: 1,100 MW (solar cells), 800 MW (solar modules)
    • Production lines: 4 (solar modules)
• SunEdison
  • Location: Ipoh (solar wafer)
• SunPower^[12]
  • Location: Malacca
    • Capacity: 1,400 MW (solar cells)
    • Production lines: 28

References