Türkiye invests millions to boost solar cell, semiconductor production

A new semiconductor and solar cell manufacturing facility will be launched in Türkiye’s central province of Sivas this July, backed by a $400 million investment. Spearheaded by Elin Energy, the project is part of the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s HIT-30 High-Tech Incentive Program and is expected to generate 1,500 new jobs.

The factory will begin full-scale mass production in the final quarter of 2026 and will have a total production capacity of five gigawatts. Elin Energy President Arda Yalı told Anadolu Agency that the project is designed to meet Türkiye’s rising domestic demand for semiconductors and solar cells, while also advancing its export ambitions—especially to the United States.

Yalı highlighted the reciprocal 10 per cent base tariffs between Türkiye and the US as an advantage, enhancing the price competitiveness of Turkish-manufactured products in global markets. He noted that Türkiye’s current annual need for solar cells ranges between six to seven gigawatts, while the US market demand stands at around 60 gigawatts.

The company’s production plan involves dividing capacity between domestic use and export.

“Of the five gigawatts we’ll produce, two will serve Türkiye’s internal demand and three will be exported to the US,” Yalı said.

He further explained that the investment will be implemented in two phases: initially, two gigawatts of production capacity will become operational in Türkiye, with an additional three gigawatts ramping up while the first phase is underway.

Sivas was chosen as the site due to several strategic advantages, including ample land and water resources—the facility will occupy 220 acres—and the availability of a local university that can help supply a trained labour force. Yalı emphasised that in larger cities, sourcing blue-collar workers has become increasingly difficult due to industrial saturation, while Sivas offers both proximity to the city centre and an integrated industrial zone near the university.

Currently, Türkiye remains a net importer of solar cells, but Yalı stated that the new factory is expected to meet nearly 70 per cent of the country's existing import volume. He also announced that a technology partner will soon be revealed, further boosting the competitiveness of the facility’s output.

“Our goal is for Türkiye to no longer need to import solar cells within three to four years,” Yalı said. “Instead, we aim to transform the country into a solar cell exporter.”

By Nazrin Sadigova