Midsummer, China's Kaisheng team up on cheaper thin-film solar

Swedish thin-film solar tech specialist Midsummer AB (STO:MIDS) has partnered with Chinese peer Kaisheng New Energy Technology on the production of thin-film solar panels in Asia, aiming to secure a cheaper product for the European market.

Under the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement, which Midsummer announced on Thursday, Kaisheng will make thin-film solar roof panels applying similar but slightly different copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) cells technology from what the Swedish firm already makes.

The Chinese partner will manufacture the products based on Midsummer’s certifications and quality assurance, while Midsummer will have exclusive rights to market these panels in Europe, the announcement said.

Midsummer will market the product as BOLD S, which will resemble its existing BOLD model for large flat or near flat low load bearing roofs on mainly commercial and industrial buildings.

Eric Jaremalm, CEO of Midsummer, highlighted several benefits of the cooperation, saying that the company will be able serve its customers even in times of production constraints in its own European factories, and address a new market that is more price sensitive.

“We see this as a long-term strategic collaboration that can have a positive impact on our operations and development far into the future. Short term, it will enable us to scale more quickly and address a price sensitive segment of the huge European market; Asian panels still have favorable treatment by the EU in terms of customs duties etc and have a price advantage compared with European products that some customers value,” Jaremalm stated.

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