MEMC to build solar cell plant with JA Solar

MEMC is forming a joint venture c-Si solar cell plant in China with JA Solar.

The 250 MW Phase One production facility will be located at JA Solar's Yangzhou site, and is expected to begin commercial production in the second half of 2011. The target is to ramp capacity to 1GW.

"This milestone agreement is further proof of the success of our focus on being the leading provider of value-added tolling technology and production solutions,” noted Dr. Peng Fang, CEO of JA Solar. “By choosing to partner with JA Solar, we believe that MEMC recognizes the value we offer, and the support we provide to our partners' growth strategies. We expect that this alliance will further enhance the sustainability and profitability of our business over the long term."

MEMC Solar Material was until a few years ago, dedicated to wafer production for both semiconductor and solar sectors, though it outsourced wafering operations until cost competitive issues forced the polysilicon producer to bring greater levels of wafering in-house.

The 50/50 JV with JA Solar closes a key whole in its migration to offer a fully integrated business offering from polysilicon production through to installation, which has only been achieved by the likes of REC in recent years. Others are following this trend as companies attempt to drive costs from the supply chain.