VESS Group has opened a solar module factory in Kardzhali, Bulgaria, investing approximately €15 million in a facility with annual production capacity of 1 GW. The plant has created about 200 jobs. Operations are carried out by VESS Modules, the group’s photovoltaic manufacturing business. The project is backed by the Clever Synergy Investment Fund.
Automated TOPCon lines target EU and international demand
Module production uses automated TOPCon module lines. The equipment is capable of producing approximately one panel every 18 seconds. The facility is intended to supply EU and international markets. Potential expansion could raise annual capacity to 3 GW.
The investment is part of a broader manufacturing push that also includes energy storage. The Kardzhali opening provides VESS with an operating manufacturing base. Any move to expand output to 3 GW will depend on demand, financing and the company’s ability to secure orders in the competitive solar equipment market.
Stara Zagora vanadium flow battery stack plant begins construction
In July, construction began on a vanadium redox flow battery stack plant in Stara Zagora. The project is developed with Japan’s NanoFrontier. It is intended to be part of an industrial complex covering batteries, photovoltaic manufacturing, metal structures, logistics and recycling.
The flow batteries are aimed at long-duration storage applications. Use cases include renewable plants, industry, networks and data centres.
