By Kate Yuan

Chinese photovoltaic products supplier JA Solar (晶澳科技) announced on November 17 that it would build an integrated smart factory and R&D center for silicon wafers, cells and modules in Shijiazhuang of northern China’s Hebei Province, with an investment of RMB10.2 billion ($1.43 billion), JW Insights reported.

JA Solar noted that the project will further enhance the company's integrated production capacity and R&D strength, and boost its core competitiveness to better meet the needs of global customers for high-efficiency and high-quality PV products.

The company forecast that the domestic demand for PV products may reach 350 to 400GW next year, which necessitates the move to expand production capacity.

Founded in 2005, Beijing-based JA Solar has 12 manufacturing bases and more than 20 branches worldwide. Its products are available in 135 countries and regions, and are used extensively in ground-mounted power plants, and commercial, industrial and residential rooftop PV systems, according to the company.