Total and its affiliate SunPower, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced the commissioning of a new photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing and assembly plant in the De Vernejoul industrial park in Porcelette, Eastern France.

• SunPower's Porcelette facility to produce the industry's highest efficiency solar modules.
• The manufacturing capacity of the new plant is 44 MWp.

The 3,300-square-meter plant is equipped with a 44 MWp production line and will roll out approximately 150,000 high efficiency solar panels annually. At this facility, SunPower's Maxeon® solar cells, the most efficient technology available today, will be integrated and assembled into SunPower solar panels that will deliver a median efficiency of 20 percent. These solar panels will service the European residential and commercial rooftop markets.

The new production facility, SunPower Manufacturing De Vernejoul, will employ approximately 80 workers, with preference given to local residents.