Suniva and Imperial Star form a US solar PV module collaboration.

The Georgia-based solar cell producer Suniva Inc. has partnered with industry participant Imperial Star Solar to develop crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules that satisfy US domestic content regulations.

A multi-year strategic sourcing agreement between the two firms stipulates that Imperial Star will use Suniva`s PV cells in its US-made modules. According to Suniva on Wednesday, the partners anticipate the product to hit the market in the first half of next year. Imperial Star claims that its modules will be among the few crystalline solar modules produced using PV cells that are produced in the country.

Through the partnership, Imperial Star and Suniva hope to quickly expand the production of cells and modules to meet the increasing demand for crystalline PV modules created in the US that use locally produced cells.

The CEO of Suniva, the sole producer of solar cells made in the United States at the moment, Cristiano Amoruso, stated, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Imperial Star, who shares our vision for a growing and secure United States’ solar PV supply chain."

Earlier this year, Suniva signed a three-year sourcing agreement with Heliene Inc., a Canadian solar module manufacturer, to create PV modules that are suitable for US domestic content. In order to increase its manufacturing capacity in the United States, the Canadian company this month secured USD 54 million (EUR 51.2 million) for a new 550-MW production line in Rogers, Minnesota.