Armenia will soon see its
first PV module factory start manufacturing activities. According to the
Armenian Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources, solar
manufacturer Profpanel LLC will begin the production of its solar module
factory by the end of June.
The company initially
invested 315 million AMD (approximately $650,000) in the facility, at which
around 50 people will be employed. Modules produced at the factory will be
initially distributed on the Armenian market, but at a later stage the company
also hopes to sell abroad as well, the ministry said.
According to Profpanel’s
website, the company, which was founded in 2012, is building a PV factory with
an annual capacity of 10 MW. The facility will produce 60/72-cell
monocrystalline, polycrystalline and PERC type modules for residential and
commercial installations. The company’s standard monocrystalline module has a
power output of 275 W, while the polycrystalline module and the PERC
monocrystalline panel have a power output of 255 W and 295 W, respectively.
The Armenian government is
currently supporting PV projects up to 1 MW through a FIT scheme and
residential and commercial solar up to 150 kW through net-metering.
Armenia’s six-year $58
million solar program is directed by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Foundation, a non-governmental organization whose mission is to facilitate
investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Armenia. The scheme is
also supported by the Climate Investment Funds, the Armenian Ministry of Energy
and Natural Resources, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.
(pv-magazine.com)