Trina Solar, world’s leading solar panel manufacturer based in China, said that manufacturing is an option they might consider for the Philippines given “favorable conditions” as the company positions to capture a bigger share of the rapidly growing solar panel market in the country.

Lim Cheong Boon, Trina Solar head product and marketing Asia Pacific, said in an interview that they are monitoring developments in the Philippines, but noted that solar panel manufacturing could be an option given “favorable conditions” for the top management to decide.

These favorable conditions could mean market demand, incentives, and how they can supply the Philippines and other countries, he said. Aside from China, Trina Solar has production facilities in Vietnam and Thailand.

For now, Lim said they will focus on expanding its presence in the country with the potential appointment of additional distributors from the current three to five.

From a slowdown in the past two years, Lim noted of a rapid take up this year from developers/utility firms, commercial and retail sectors. Trina Solar started its presence in the Philippines since 2013.

“We have a rapid take up now,” said Lim.

He cited that demand is also buoyed with the emphasis of the Department of Energy, which has raised a higher renewable energy share in the country’s fuel mix.

So far, the Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed company estimated that its solar panel supply in the country could have easily exceeded one gigawatt. Most of their projects though are focused on supply to utilities firms, including two huge projects with the Aboitiz Power.

There are also commercial establishments they supply with solar panels for installation on the rooftops of their factory buildings. For instance, Lim said they have a partnership with the Ramcar Group for rooftop solar panel supply for their buildings.

The company is focusing on the supply of solar panels for the Philippines they can also serve as one stop shop solutions provider to include battery, inverters and trackers.

Lim said that as one of pioneers in solar panel production, they do not compete on price alone, but they have advanced technology, quality and standards.

Trina Solar is banking on its 25 years of experience in the solar panel industry confident that its strong brand reputation along with a strong track record of reliability is another reason why it is the choice for solar farm developers.

For the last six consecutive years, they have been rated annual by Bloomberg New Energy Finance survey as the most bankable solar module manufacturer.

Top solar farm developers in the Philippines are already using Trina Solar modules. Another example is PAVI Green Renewable Energy which is developing a 22MW solar farm in Bataan province, Central Luzon. This project is due to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

Trina Solar has supplied 40,665 of its Vertex DE19 modules to PAVI Green Renewable Energy. Vertex DE19 is the most popular Trina Solar module, suitable for both ground-mounted and rooftop solar installation. The DE19 Vertex module has a maximum efficiency of 21.2 percent and maximum power output of up to 555W.

Ramcar Food Group - the Philippines’ master franchise holder for KFC and Mister Donut - has been installing Trina Solar’s Vertex DE19 550W modules on the rooftops of its outlets.

Another well-known Filipino business installing rooftop solar is Pampanga’s Best, a processed meat producer.

Vertex DE19 modules chosen by Ramcar Food Group and Pampanga’s Best are the first modules in the Philippines that incorporate 210mm silicon wafers, a larger wafer size than earlier generation modules.