SolarEdge Opens 2GWh Battery Cell Facility

SolarEdge and its subsidiary, Kokam, announced the opening of a two gigawatt-hour (GWh)  battery cell manufacturing facility in the Eumseong Innovation City of Chungcheongbuk-Do, South Korea. The facility, called “Sella 2” is currently producing test cells for certification, with ramp-up expected during the second half of 2022. Sella 2 will enable SolarEdge to have its own supply of lithium-ion batteries andto develop new battery cell chemistries and technologies.

The facility is planned to manufacture battery cells for SolarEdge’s residential solar-attached batteries as well as battery cells for a variety of industries, including mobile applications, energy stationary storage solutions (ESS) and UPS applications. It includes also the storage needs of its e-Mobility division based on the 2019 acquisition of the Italian S.M.R.E. Last year, the e-Mobility division has been selected by Fiat to supply full electrical powertrain units and batteries for the production of the Fiat E-Ducato light commercial vehicle.

Zvi Lando, CEO of SolarEdge, said that the opening of Sella 2, “Allows us to own key processes in the development and manufacturing of advanced energy storage solutions, while further securing the resilience of our supply chain.” SolarEdge provides smart energy solutions, including an intelligent inverter solutions to optimize and manage photovoltaic (PV) systems. Its 2021 revenues totalled $1.96 billion, up 34.6% compared with 2021.

Huawei and SolarEdge Patent License Agreement

Earlier this month it has concluded a four years dispute with Huawei Technologies, over claimed patent infringements made by Huawei. In 2018, SolarEdge had filed three lawsuits for patent infringement against Huawei Technologies and its distributors in Germany regarding DC optimized inverter technologies. On May 19, 2022, SolarEdge and Huawei have agreed on a global patent license agreement between the two companies. The agreement includes a cross license that covers patents relating to both companies’ products. The specific terms of the agreement are confidential, but it ends lawsuits between the companies that were pending in Germany and China.

SolarEdge’s Kokam to supply battery energy storage system to Tahiti

The South Korean lithium batteries manufacturer Kokam, which was aquired by SolarEdge in 2019, has entered into contract to supply Electricité de Tahiti (EDT), a subsidiary of ENGIE, with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) serving as Tahiti’s first ‘Virtual Synchronous Generator (VSG)’. Comprised of a 15MW / 10.4MWh battery system with an integrated 20Mvar STATCOM, the state-of-the-art BESS will replace EDT’s spinning reserve diesel generators in order to cost-effectively reduce diesel fuel consumption, allow more renewable energy and strengthen the grid.

By incorporating more renewable generation sources and improving the performance of its diesel genset, EDT may reduce fuel costs of approximately up to ~€1.25M per annum. The VSG is also expected to increase savings in the form of reduced generator maintenance costs and the extension of generator operational lifespan.

Ike Hong, Chief Marketing Officer of Kokam, comments: “Electricité de Tahiti’s BESS demonstrates how innovative and intelligently-designed battery solutions can help utility and industrial customers lower greenhouse gas emissions while also improving their bottom line and increasing grid reliability.”

Emphasizing the critically of Kokam’s Battery Energy Storage System in reducing fuel consumption without risk to grid stability, François-Xavier de FROMENT, Chief Executive Officer of EDT, comments: “Through the VSG technology, EDT acts on its desire to decarbonize electricity production and contributes to the shift to carbon neutrality in French Polynesia.”