The first large-size silicon wafer was produced June 18 only 140 days after construction began on the Guangdong Gaojing Solar Energy Science & Technology manufacturing base in Sanzao Town of Jinwan District.

The "lightning speed" with which the project was completed comes with great market demand for 50-gigawatt (GW) large-size silicon wafers. Company leaders cite current supply shortages creating early profits from its 210mm large-size solar wafers in the next few years.

The new factory campus was established by a senior technical team, IDG Capital, and Zhuhai Huafa Group at a cost of 17 billion yuan ($2.63 billion). Gaojing researches, develops, and manufactures large-size photovoltaic silicon wafers and rods. Its technology, quality, scale, and cost-efficiency have reached a globally advanced level.

Gaojing's silicon wafer manufacture base in Jinwan [Photo by Zhang Zhou / Guanhai App]

The 15GW second phase of the project on Hubin Road west of North Airport Road is to come into operation next year, and the 20GW third phase in 2023. At full capacity, the factory will have created 6,000 jobs and generated 27 billion yuan ($4.17 billion) in output value, 2.35 billion yuan ($363.3 million) in net profits, and over 700 million yuan ($108.22 million) in annual tax revenue.

In addition, it is to attract more PV new-energy industrial chain enterprises to Zhuhai along with high-end domestic and overseas talents and technological resources. This is expected to speed formation of a 100-billion-yuan ($15-billion) new-energy industrial cluster and elevate the city's strategic position in the national new-energy layout. 

Jinwan established a dedicated headquarters to support construction of the project. An 110KV transformer substation, pressurized water supply pumping station, and bus stop were built to serve the plant. The district will also help obtain pollution discharge quotas and apply for an enrollment quota of employee children.