LG Electronics to start production on 120MW solar-cell line in January

LG Electronics will begin production next month at its 120MW crystalline-silicon solar cell manufacturing line in Gumi, South Korea, about 200 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The company said it will open a second line in 2011, which will increase total output to 240MW. LG has invested nearly $187 million in the business.

“LG's intention is to become a global player in the world’s solar industry through a combination of our mass production expertise and strict quality control system,” said Kwan-shik Cho, VP of LG's solar business team. “While we recognize this is a crowded playing field, LG has the necessary skills, know-how, and business strategy to make this a profitable venture for the long-term.”

The company is also working on thin-film PV technologies. LG announced in July that it had achieved the world’s most efficient (11.1%) large-area (1.1m x 1.3m) thin-film cells.

“LG is at the top of the industry in terms of large-area solar cell efficiency," said Cho. "We are commencing production of crystalline solar cells and will continue to focus on both types of solar cells going forward.”