GCL, which has made its name in supply of solar panels, is about to launch a new lithium battery factory. Credit: GCL
China-based GCL Systems Integration (GCL) will invest 161.54 million yuan (US$24.3 million) in development of a 500MWh energy storage battery factory in Suzhou, in the Jiangsu province in East China.
Energy Storage News understands GCL Integrated Energy Storage Technology, a GCL subsidiary, has agreed a lease on a plant in the High Tech Zone within Suzhou’s New District, a technological and industrial development area to the west of the city.
The site, covering a construction area of 18,043 square metres, will be used for the construction of lithium batteries. It will feature test rooms, storage and shipping centres, and office space, alongside assembly lines for residential, commercial and industrial batteries.
It is understood 400MWh of annual production capacity will go to home storage products, and 100MWh will go to business energy storage products.
The Suzhou Science and Technology City Development Company is leasing the site to GCL.
It is unclear when the plant will open. Energy Storage News is awaiting comment from GCL.
GCL is a member of PV Tech’s exclusive Silicon Module Super League for 2016, managed by Clean Energy News’ sister title, PV Tech. It is one of six break-away companies for supply of PV modules globally, according to PV Tech.
The company claimed in February it was the world's seventh largest PV module manufacturer, with sales volume slated to jump five-fold in 2015, compared with 2014.
Finlay Colville, Head of Solar Intelligence at Solar Media, said of GLC last month: “The company is simply the most important in the PV industry today.”