ARCO/Murray has been appointed to manage the design and construction of Boviet Solar's 2GW TOPCon module assembly plant and an anticipated solar cell facility in North Carolina, USA. The announcement was made on October 16, outlining the construction firm's role in the project.
The development will occur in two phases, with the first phase focusing on the renovation of a 500,000-square-foot facility in Pitt County. This facility will produce Boviet Solar's monofacial Gamma Series and bifacial Vega Series modules, aimed at various market segments, including residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale applications. Construction for this phase commenced on October 10.
ARCO/Murray will oversee infrastructure improvements and mechanical and electrical upgrades while assisting with the installation of production equipment and the startup of operations.
Boviet Solar plans to begin mass production of solar PV modules by early 2025, with a total investment of US$294 million allocated for both the module and solar cell plants.
The second phase involves constructing a 2GW advanced solar cell manufacturing facility, which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024. This facility will cover approximately 600,000 square feet and will focus on producing high-performance solar cells.
During this phase, ARCO/Murray will work with international equipment manufacturers and coordinate with local city and utility companies to integrate necessary mechanical, electrical, gas, and chemical distribution systems. A substation and a wastewater treatment plant will also be constructed to support the facility's operations.
Rick Guth, vice president at ARCO/Murray, stated that the new facility aims to contribute to the growth of solar energy production in the U.S. and reflects the company's experience in managing design-build projects.
Sienna Cen, president of Boviet Solar USA, indicated that the completed facilities will produce 2GW of solar modules and 2GW of solar cells annually, which could enhance the U.S. solar supply chain and support the transition to clean energy. The project is also expected to create economic opportunities for the local community in North Carolina.
