Chinese solar cell manufacturer Hainan Drinda New Energy Technology has announced plans to establish a high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing facility in Turkey, in a joint venture (JV) with local solar company Schmid Pekintas Energy. It will host 5 GW of annual production capacity.
A JV between Turkish construction company Pekintas Holding and Germany’s Schmid Group, Schmid Pekintas operates 3 GW of annual solar module production capacity in Turkey.
Drinda’s subsidiary and the group’s solar cell manufacturing arm, Jietai New Energy Investment (HK) Limited (JTPV), is representing the Chinese group in the partnership. As of the end of 2024, JTPV operates 44 GW of annual solar cell production capacity.
A long-time customer of Drinda, the Turkish manufacturer brings its experience of producing high-efficiency solar modules and local knowledge to the partnership.
This will be Drinda’s 2nd overseas factory as it has a 10 GW n-type facility under construction in Oman. It is to be completed in 2 phases of 5 GW each. Phase I of the project is scheduled to come online within 2025 (see Drinda Secures Land For 5 GW Solar Cell Production In Oman).
According to the Chinese manufacturer, Turkey has 15 GW of annual solar module manufacturing capacity, the highest in Europe, but its domestic cell production doesn’t match up. The country’s average solar cell import demand is as high as 10 GW. This is where it sees an opportunity to fill this gap.
Drinda’s announcement follows its compatriot Astronergy that unveiled plans for Turkey’s ‘1st’ wholly, foreign-owned solar cell factory in April 2025, to support its existing module fab in the country (see Astronergy Announces TOPCon Solar Cell Factory In Turkey).
Turkey is encouraging solar PV manufacturing in the country under its $30 billion High-Tech Investment Program (HIT-30). Through this program, it is offering a grant support of up to $8,000/MW to companies for up to 15 GW capacity (see Turkey Announces $8,000 Grant Support/MW For Solar Cell Investments).
As Chinese solar PV manufacturers target Turkey in their global expansion, the local industry is stepping up its defenses. At its instance, the government has launched investigations into the dumping of junction boxes and aluminum frames for solar panels from China (see Turkey Opens Anti-Dumping Investigation Into Chinese Solar Imports).
