NexWafe Ventures into the US Market, Bringing Solar Wafer Production Back Home

NexWafe GmbH (NexWafe), a prominent player in the solar industry, has announced the formation of a U.S. subsidiary aimed at exploring the development of multi-gigawatt-scale solar wafer production within the United States. The initiative sets an initial target production volume of six gigawatts (GW). Leveraging their innovative EpiNex™ production technology, derived from their 250 MW commercial facility currently under construction in Bitterfeld, Germany, NexWafe seeks to capitalize on the burgeoning potential of the North American solar market.

As part of this expansion strategy, NexWafe has appointed Jonathan Pickering, a seasoned professional in the solar sector, as Vice President of Business Development for North America. Pickering’s wealth of experience, including his tenure as President of JA Solar Americas and as a former Vice President at Applied Materials, positions him strategically to drive NexWafe’s U.S. operations forward.

The move comes amidst a significant surge in the U.S. solar industry, with 2023 marking a record year for solar installations, totaling 33 GW. Projections indicate an average annual growth rate of 14 percent in solar installations between 2023 and 2028, underlining the ripe opportunity for NexWafe’s expansion.

In alignment with the objectives outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), NexWafe’s foray into the U.S. market aims to mitigate vulnerabilities in the solar-wafer supply chain, which currently hinges heavily on China’s dominance. By establishing a local manufacturing base, NexWafe seeks to bolster the domestic supply of silicon wafers, reducing reliance on global markets and minimizing exposure to potential geopolitical disruptions.

The company is actively engaged in securing strategic partnerships, evaluating potential manufacturing sites, and negotiating offtake agreements to ensure a robust domestic wafer supply. Additionally, NexWafe plans to leverage IRA incentives, in collaboration with other solar supply chain manufacturers, to realize its vision of gigawatt-scale wafer manufacturing in North America, thereby advancing the transition towards renewable energy.

Commenting on the development, Davor Sutija, CEO of NexWafe, emphasized the importance of Pickering’s appointment, stating, “Silicon wafers are critical materials for the energy transition, and Jonathan’s leadership will be key as we embark on establishing gigawatt-scale wafer manufacturing in the U.S.”

In his capacity as VP of Business Development for North America, Pickering expressed optimism about NexWafe’s potential to address the current bottleneck in the solar supply chain. “Our breakthrough EpiNex direct ‘gas-to-wafer’ manufacturing process targets this exact opportunity,” he stated. “We are developing a gigawatt-scale facility to manufacture high-performance, American-made, thin silicon wafers to serve our U.S. customers, and we can do so while achieving a 60 percent reduction in the carbon footprint compared to today’s technology.”

NexWafe’s strategic expansion into the U.S. underscores its commitment to driving innovation and sustainability within the energy sector, positioning the company as a frontrunner in reshaping the future of solar technology.