UK firm picks RP as site for P2.256-B solar wafer cells plant

British firm Sunpower Corp., one of the world’s top manufacturers of ultra high-efficiency silicon solar cells, has chosen the Philippines over India as site for a P2.256-billion solar wafer cell plant.

Sunpower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd. (SPML), whose parent company is the Cayman Islands-based Sunpower Corp., will manufacture solar wafer cells at its plant in Laguna.

Sunpower Corp. is majority controlled by Cypress Semiconductor Corp. which is considered a leader in pure optical and optoelectronic technologies and also engages in the design and manufacture of solutions targeted across wireless and wireline communications.

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. is also the parent company of Cypress Manufacturing Ltd. Philippines which has manufacturing operations at the Gateway Business Park special economic zone.

SPML‘s solar wafer plant is expected to generate employment for 760 highly-skilled Filipinos. The bulk of SPML’s output will be shipped to the US.

SPML’s application as a new export enterprise was approved by the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) Board only last April 22.

As a PEZA-registered export enterprise, SPML would be entitled to such incentives as income tax holiday and duty-free importation of capital equipment.