local media on February 5, a Cambodian manufacturer providing OEM services to several Chinese first-class solar panel companies is introducing its own brand panels to the United States and plans to open a 1.5 gigawatt solar panel assembly plant outside Houston in September this year.
The company, Imperial Star Solar, has been operating a 2G W battery and 2.5G W solar panel manufacturing park in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The company produces panels for several of the world's leading photovoltaic manufacturers. But now, based on its manufacturing base in Cambodia, Imperial Star Solar is focusing the rest of its efforts on the U.S. market, said Drucker, executive vice president and head of U.S. operations.
"Most people probably haven't heard of us, but all the companies we've worked with and all the products we offer have reached a lot of big American customers," she said. "Our focus was on Southeast Asia, but now our strategic focus is shifting to the US market."
Currently, Imperial Star Solar leases a 384,500-foot facility in Tomball, Texas, a half-hour north of downtown Houston. Zhuo said the facility will support 300 jobs, with a planned annual capacity of 1.5 gigawatts in the first phase. The second phase will increase capacity within large plants.
As planned, Imperial Star Solar's Texas plant will initially produce PERC panels , as these cells are supplied by Imperial Star Solar's Cambodia plant. At the same time, the manufacturing plants in Cambodia will begin to move to the TOPCon design , and the plant in Texas will eventually do the same.
Imperial Star Solar is taking steps to realize the opportunity to participate in fair trade by establishing a manufacturing site in the United States. Although the company's photovoltaic products exported from Cambodia to the United States will be subject to AD/CVD tariffs after Biden's tariff suspension, a new silicon wafer factory in Laos should start shipping in the third quarter. This will help Imperial Star Solar achieve its commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
"We believe in fostering a sustainable business environment and appreciate the continued support of component buyers as we responsibly address these changes," said Drucker.
The group considered other pro-manufacturing States such as Ohio and Georgia, but ultimately chose the Houston area as the location for its U.S. operations.
"The biggest reason we chose Texas is because they do have a lot of empty, brand-new buildings, given our tight schedule.". The second is the labor force. Houston has a labor advantage in solar manufacturing. Also, it's more of a synergy -- a lot of companies are moving into Houston as a solar manufacturing hub. "This will help us take advantage of some low-cost suppliers," Drucker said.
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