New $12 million solar module manufacturing plant launched in Algeria

Algerian company, Zergoun Green Energy (ZEG), has launched a solar PV module manufacturing factory in Ouargla, in the homonymous province of southern Algeria. The facility will have a solar module production capacity of 180 MW annually.

According to Zergoun, it invested an estimated DZD 1.7 billion ($11.6 million) for the construction and equipment of the solar manufacturing plant. A mixture of 50% equity and 50% bank loans was used to finance the development of the facility. 

Covering about 9,200 m2 in area, the solar module manufacturing factory was equipped by Spain’s Mondragon Assembly. 

Zergoun says it will produce monocrystalline passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) glass-glass and bifacial modules with a power output of between 405 and 415 W. The company will source solar cells from major Chinese solar cell manufacturers.

Job creation and impact on solar industry in Algeria

Despite the solar module manufacturing plant being 95% automated, Zergoun estimates that at least 150 direct jobs will be created at the facility. The company also formulated partnerships with the University of Ouargla, and the Centre for the Development of Renewable Energy (CDER) which will see the three parties collaborate in skills development programmes.

Algeria’s Minister of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies, Benattou Ziane, celebrated the launch of the facility saying it will contribute immensely to the country’s solar energy programme called “Solar 1,000 MW”. The North African country recently issued a tender for the procurement of 1GW of new solar energy capacity. 

The establishment of a solar module manufacturing facility by Zergoun increases the number of solar pv panel makers in Algeria to four. Among other operational solar module manufacturers in Algeria include French-Algerian company Aurés Solaire, and Algerian electronics manufacturer, Condor Electronics.