SolarWorld has sold its shares in a joint-venture solar module factory in Jeonju, South Korea, that opened in 2008. According to the company, this decision reflects its increasing commitment to production within its major sales markets in the West, including the fast-growing U.S. market.
SolarWorld is increasing production at its hub of factory sites in and near Freiberg, Germany. In the U.S., the company has exceeded the 1,250-employee mark that it reached upon completing its expansion and modernization programs for its sites in Hillsboro, Ore., and Camarillo, Calif., in December. This month, combined employment has exceeded 1,300.
By the end of the year, combined module production across SolarWorld's U.S. and European sites will ramp up to a total annual production capacity of more than 1 GW, the company adds.