Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Singapore-headquartered EliTe Solar has commissioned a 5GW photovoltaic manufacturing facility in Egypt, marking a significant step in the company’s global expansion and in the development of renewable energy manufacturing across the Middle East and Africa. The new plant is located in the Ain Sokhna area of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), a fast-growing industrial hub positioned at one of the world’s most strategic trade corridors.
The facility includes 2GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity and 3GW of solar module assembly, targeting utility-scale as well as commercial and industrial customers worldwide. Production will focus on n-type solar cell and module technology, which is increasingly favored by developers for its higher efficiency, improved performance in high-temperature environments, and longer operational lifetimes.
EliTe Solar said the Egypt plant will play a central role in its growth strategy across markets in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and North America, supporting customers seeking diversified and resilient supply chains. The location provides logistical advantages for exports to Europe and the Americas, while also positioning the company closer to rapidly growing solar markets across Africa and the Middle East.
“This facility strengthens our global manufacturing footprint while reinforcing our commitment to dependable, market-ready solar supply,” said Arndt Lutz, CEO of EliTe Solar USA. He added that the combination of advanced n-type technology, integrated production, and disciplined execution enables the company to deliver consistent quality and long-term reliability across multiple regions.
The commissioning follows EliTe Solar’s September 2024 announcement of plans to develop up to 8GW of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity within SCZONE. That project was structured in two phases, with the initial phase centered on 2GW of cell manufacturing capacity. While the company has now brought 5GW of combined cell and module capacity online, it has not disclosed additional details regarding the timing or scope of future expansion phases.
At the time of the original announcement, EliTe Solar estimated that a fully ramped facility could generate more than US$190 million in annual revenues, offsetting an investment of approximately US$150 million. A substantial portion of the output was expected to be exported, including to the United States, as project developers and manufacturers increasingly seek alternatives to China-dominated solar supply chains amid trade restrictions, tariffs, and geopolitical considerations.
EliTe Solar’s move also aligns with Egypt’s broader ambition to position itself as a regional manufacturing and energy hub. The SCZONE has attracted growing interest from renewable energy and clean technology companies due to its access to international shipping routes, expanding infrastructure, and government-backed incentives. Egypt itself has set ambitious renewable energy targets and is leveraging its strong solar resource to support both domestic deployment and export-oriented manufacturing.
Founded in 2005 and formerly known as ET Solar, EliTe Solar supplies high-efficiency solar solutions for utility-scale, commercial, and industrial applications. The company operates vertically integrated manufacturing across multiple countries, covering the value chain from wafers to finished modules. In addition to its new Egypt facility, EliTe Solar maintains manufacturing operations in Vietnam and Indonesia, and has a commercial presence in the United States, including operations in California.
In December 2024, the company commissioned a solar cell processing plant in Indonesia, further underscoring its strategy of geographic diversification. While EliTe Solar did not disclose the nameplate capacity or specific technology used at the Indonesian facility, the investment reflects continued momentum in expanding its upstream manufacturing base.
With the commissioning of its Egypt plant, EliTe Solar joins a growing group of manufacturers building capacity outside traditional production centers, responding to shifting trade dynamics and accelerating global demand for solar energy. The Ain Sokhna facility positions the company to serve both established and emerging markets, while contributing to the development of a more distributed and resilient global solar manufacturing ecosystem.
