We have updates on JinkoSolar’s Saudi factory: Chinese solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar expects its solar component manufacturing plant in Saudi — slated to be the world’s largest N-type solar cell manufacturing facility — to go live in early 2026, VP Qian Jing told China state-owned news service ECNS. The facility will carry an investment ticket of USD 1 bn and produce 10 GW worth of solar cells and modules annually.

What we know: The project is part of a joint venture signed last month between JinkoSolar, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s wholly-owned subsidiary Renewable Energy Localization Company (Relc) along with Riyadh-based and privately owned renewable energy firm Vision Industries. Relc and JinkoSolar will hold a 40% stake each, with Vision owning 20%. It will be funded through a combination of its internal funds and loans, JinkoSolar said in a press release (pdf) last month.

What are N-Type cells? N-type solar cells use phosphorus mixed with silicon in the manufacturing process rather than boron, which is used in standard P-type solar panels. This causes the panel to be negatively charged as it has one more electron than silicon. Phosphorus has been shown to be more efficient than boron as it is less prone to degradation from light or losing its purity.

Already active in Saudi: JinkoSolar was awarded a contract last month to supply 1 GW of solar modules for the solar energy plants powering Saudi Arabia’s giant Neom Green Hydrogen Project currently under construction. It will provide its Tiger Neo 'N-Type TOPCon modules, which has a first year degradation rate that is less than 1% and linear degradation of 0.4%, according to its website.

The Chinese company currently holds a 70% stake in the Saudi market, Qian told ECNS. Its ventures include a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPCC) last September to develop the 1.5 GW Tabarjal PV plant. It was also among the qualified bidders for SPPC’s 3.7 GW worth of renewable energy projects in February. It also secured a USD 315 mn build-own-operate contract for a 400 MW solar energy plant in KSA’s northern Al Jouf province last year.

Jinko is also eyeing other regional markets: The company is among the prequalified bidders to develop Oman's 500 MW Ibri III Solar IPP. Jinko previously partnered with Singapore’s Sembcorp Utilities to develop the Manah 2 solar plant in March last year, and worked with Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), France's EDF Renewables, and Emirates Water and Electricity Company to develop the 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar IPP last year.

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