Japan's Vsun Solar begins commercial operations of 4GW silicon wafer plant in Vietnam

Tokyo-headquartered Vsun Solar has commenced commercial production at its 4-gigawatt silicon wafer plant in Vietnam.

The plant has churned out its first N-type 182.2×182.2mm n-type silicon wafer, the firm said in a statement late last week.

Construction of the plant started last November in the northern province of Phu Tho, covering a total area over 132,000 square meters.

Full production of the 4GW annual nameplate capacity is expected to be reached by the end of this month as the company aims to establish a vertically integrated solar supply chain.

The factory uses the most advanced equipment and technological process routes in the industry and it is operating under a Japanese quality management system, the firm said.

Operation of the wafer plant is part of the company’s Silicon Wafer Business Unit Phase I project, with Phase II currently underway to expand cell capacity.

Toyo Solar, subsidiary of Vsun Solar, had signed in February a long-term strategic supply agreement with South Korea-based polysilicon producer OCI Company Ltd. Under the agreement, OCI will supply Toyo Solar with low-carbon silicon materials, helping VSUN secure long-term stability and reliability of silicon raw materials.