PVTIME – The Spanish firm Tresca has been officially appointed as the owner’s engineer for the construction of Sunwafers’ planned 20GW solar wafer gigafactory in Spain. The project’s primary objectives are to accelerate local capacity rollout, optimise green production processes, create high-skilled local jobs, and achieve a leapfrog development from pilot to large-scale production via the N-type technology route. These goals are intended to strengthen the resilience of the EU’s PV industrial chain.
In line with the EU’s efforts to bring PV production back home, the project will shorten delivery cycles, improve supply chain traceability, and promote N-type technology, initially focusing on TOPCon with plans to gradually incorporate HJT and BC technologies. For Spain, the project will foster a local supplier ecosystem, reduce production costs by using renewable energy and recovering waste heat, and establish a solid foundation for EU PV chain stability through a pilot-first, phased expansion model.
Tresca’s central role is to mitigate risks for the project and the EU’s local PV rollout. As owner’s engineer, Tresca will convert Sunwafes’ technical plans into financeable design schemes and define performance guarantees to reduce risks for lenders and insurers. Prior to procurement, Tresca will conduct design optimisation and feasibility assessments to clarify the scope, budget and timeline, thereby minimising engineering changes and related delays.
To facilitate the transition to a 20GW scale, Tresca will define production processes and compile equipment lists through pilot line testing, FAT/SAT acceptance, and yield verification. Tresca will also optimise utility facilities, improve redundancy to reduce bottlenecks and single points of failure, and deploy digital twin, MES and SPC systems with online testing to identify defects early on, stabilise yield and shorten technology adaptation cycles.
Supply chain resilience will be ensured through supplier prequalification and a dual-source strategy. Tresca will develop EPC/EPCM service packages that offer incentives based on capacity, equipment utilisation, and energy and water consumption. In terms of safety and environmental compliance, Tresca will conduct HAZOP/SIL assessments, design waste treatment schemes, and streamline approvals in order to meet strict EU regulations and avoid the need for design rework.
Cost control and compliance are priorities: closed-loop water and waste heat recovery systems will reduce operating costs and enhance ESG performance, while grid capacity matching, redundant design and electricity price hedging will stabilise power costs. Tresca will ensure compliance with EU standards (CE, mechanical safety and eco-design), simplify review processes, and compile carbon footprint and EPD documents for EU buyers.
Talent cultivation and efficient construction management are also key. Tresca will develop standardised SOPs and train operators, maintenance personnel and engineers to avoid delays during the scaling-up process. The company will optimise logistics, plant layout and phased construction to enable early module production. It will also establish a QA/QC system with third-party wafer certification to boost confidence in the downstream process. Waste recycling systems will implement EU extended producer responsibility regulations, thereby supporting the development of a circular PV economy.
Finally, Tresca will assist with applications for EU subsidies such as NZIA and IPCEI, thereby reducing capital expenditure risks. Tresca will connect local upstream suppliers (e.g. polysilicon and ingots) and downstream suppliers (e.g. cell manufacturers) to secure volumes and unify standards, thereby mitigating the risk of market fluctuations. Emergency plans will address equipment delays, power restrictions and regulatory changes to keep the EU’s PV reshoring on track.
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