a leading U.S. photovoltaic manufacturer, celebrated the grand opening of its new photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. This event marks a significant milestone in SEG’s dedication to enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities. During the ceremony, SEG unveiled its first 585W YUKON N series module, setting a new standard as one of the initial manufacturers to commence module production in the United States.
Ceremony and Attendees
The grand opening was attended by nearly 300 distinguished guests, including key figures from government, industry associations, and major media outlets. Notable attendees included Bobby Lieb, President and CEO of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, Chase A. Silman from Congressman Morgan Luttrell’s office, and Lawrence Bell from Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office. SEG’s Founder and COO Jun Zhuge and CEO Jim Wood delivered keynote speeches, highlighting the significance of this development for SEG and the broader solar industry.
Facility and Technological Innovations
The new Houston facility represents an investment of approximately $60 million and spans nearly 250,000 square feet. It is equipped to produce the latest high-efficiency N-type solar modules, with an impressive annual production capacity of 2GW. The facility’s production lines are designed to accommodate both 182mm and 210mm N-type cells, integrated with cutting-edge automated manufacturing systems. These systems ensure high precision and efficiency throughout the production process.
The facility also features advanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). These systems facilitate refined management and full traceability of incoming materials, thereby ensuring superior product quality and reliability. The integration of automation, information technology, and intelligence further enhances the facility’s manufacturing efficiency.
Plans for Future Development
SEG Solar is set to establish a global research and development (R&D) centre at the Houston facility by the end of 2024. This centre will provide comprehensive testing services, including Light-Induced Degradation (LID) tests, Damp Heat tests, Potential-Induced Degradation (PID) tests, and Light and Elevated Temperature-Induced Degradation (LeTID) tests. These evaluations are crucial for ensuring the reliability and performance of the modules under various environmental conditions, thereby delivering high-quality and competitive products to customers.
CEO’s Vision and Strategic Goals
Jim Wood, CEO of SEG Solar, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s achievements:
As a leading U.S. solar company, SEG is proud to be among the pioneers in domestic manufacturing with our new solar module factory in the U.S. The inauguration of the Houston plant represents a significant advancement in American module manufacturing technology. He further noted, “In the coming years, SEG will continue to invest in wafer, cell, and module technologies. We will closely monitor market trends to meet our customers’ evolving needs. Through strategic collaborations across the supply chain, we aim to enhance and optimize the U.S. PV manufacturing sector.”
SEG’s Commitment
SEG’s Houston facility is poised to play a pivotal role in the expansion of the U.S. solar manufacturing industry. By leveraging advanced technology and strategic investments, SEG is committed to driving innovation and growth in the solar sector. The establishment of the R&D centre will further bolster SEG’s position as a leader in photovoltaic technology and contribute to the broader goal of advancing sustainable energy solutions.
