(Yicai Global) Dec. 25 – Chinese solar panel maker Trina Solar is further expanding its large-size solar cell output with a new plant in eastern China after disclosing its plans to double output at a factory nearby.

Trina Solar will spend CNY4.4 billion (USD666.1 million) to build a new production facility in Suqian in eastern Jiangsu province, the Changzhou-based firm said in a statement yesterday. Early this week, it said that the Yancheng factory will double its output.

Big silicon wafers cut power generation costs at solar power stations and Trina Solar has grown into a major supplier in the field.

The Suqian plant will produce eight gigawatts of silicon cells featuring large wafers each year, the company revealed, without disclosing when the facility will be ready.

On Dec. 23, Trina Solar said it will invest CNY3 billion to boost its Yancheng plant's capacity to 18.5 GW, up from the earlier 10 GW. The previous capacity goal was announced in August. More than half of the capacity will be used to make 210-millimeter solar cells, the firm said then.

Trina Solar’s stock price [SHA: 688599] climbed 3 percent to CNY25.49 (USD3.90) this afternoon. The shares have gained about 40 percent over the past month.

Editor: Emmi Laine