Chinese solar module maker opens R80m Cape Town plant
17 September 2014
News
Jinko Solar, a solar photovoltaic (PV) module maker headquartered in China, has opened a manufacturing plant in Cape Town’s Epping area.
The company’s R80 million investment comes after negotiations between it and the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) that started in 2012. For its part, the dti was able to cut through some red tape, and provided facilitation and support on local content requirements.
Jinko’s interest in the South African market was piqued when the country rolled out its Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP), into which Jinko has deployed over 300 MW of solar PV panels to date, attaining roughly 30% market share, according to the dti.
The 5000 square metre Cape Town factory will have the capacity to produce 120 MW worth of panels per annum and is expected to create 250 jobs. In addition to supporting the ‘green economy’ ambitions of the dti’s Industrial Policy Action Plan, the department said in a statement that this highlights the attractiveness of South Africa as an investment destination and will contribute further to establishing the country as a hub for renewable energy and other green economy industries.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, expressed further optimism in the fact that USA investors such as GE and Solar Reserve, as part of President Obama’s Power Africa programme, have expressed an interest to further invest and expand the energy sector in South Africa and on the African continent.
Further reading:
Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.
Read more...
IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics
News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.
Read more...
Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises
News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.
Read more...
Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.
Read more...
Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.
Read more...
AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...
European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.
Read more...
Silicon Labs reports strong growth
News
Silicon Labs has reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, with significant YoY revenue gains and shifting market dynamics.
Read more...
Siemens acquires Canopus AI
ASIC Design Services
News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.
Read more...
Micron breaks ground on new wafer fabs
News
Micron Technology has advanced two major semiconductor manufacturing initiatives that together reflect the company’s strategic response to sustained global demand for memory solutions.
Read more...
printer friendly version