Talon PV Secures German Wafer Supply for American-Made Solar Cells

Why It Matters

This agreement secures a critical domestic source of high‑efficiency wafers, accelerating Talon’s U.S. manufacturing rollout and strengthening supply‑chain resilience in a rapidly growing solar market.

Key Takeaways

• 7 GW wafer supply secured through 2032.
• Supports Talon’s 4.8‑GW TOPCon plant in Texas.
• Uses NexWafe’s EpiNex high‑efficiency wafers.
• Strengthens U.S. solar supply chain resilience.
• Promotes domestic, Western‑aligned photovoltaic manufacturing.

Pulse Analysis

The United States is intensifying efforts to localize solar‑module production, driven by policy incentives and mounting demand for clean energy. Talon PV’s upcoming 4.8‑GW TOPCon cell line in Baytown represents one of the largest domestic high‑efficiency projects, but its success hinges on a reliable wafer source. By locking in a multi‑year supply of German‑engineered EpiNex wafers, Talon mitigates the risk of import bottlenecks and aligns its supply chain with the broader “Made in America” agenda.

NexWafe’s EpiNex platform combines epitaxial growth with low‑defect silicon, delivering wafer efficiencies that are well‑suited to TOPCon architectures. The technology promises higher carrier lifetimes and reduced recombination losses, translating into module efficiencies above 23 %. The partnership leverages NexWafe’s pilot‑scale production in Bitterfeld and its expertise in wafer qualification at Fraunhofer ISE, ensuring that the substrates meet the stringent performance standards required for next‑generation photovoltaics.

Strategically, the Talon‑NexWafe alliance signals a shift toward a Western‑aligned wafer‑to‑cell ecosystem, reducing dependence on Asian silicon imports and fostering cross‑continental collaboration. As the U.S. solar market targets gigawatt‑scale capacity additions, such domestic supply chains could attract further investment, spur job creation, and accelerate cost reductions. The agreement also sets a precedent for other manufacturers seeking secure, high‑efficiency wafer sources, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics of the global solar industry.

Talon PV secures German wafer supply for American-made solar cells

By Kelly Pickerel · Solar Power World

Talon PV, the solar‑cell manufacturer building a facility outside Houston, has signed a supply agreement with NexWafe, a German silicon‑wafer company. Talon PV will use NexWafe EpiNex silicon wafers in its TOPCon solar‑cell manufacturing operations, scheduled to come online next year.

Image: Two businessmen are shaking hands over a contract on a table near a window with a city view.

Talon PV CEO Adam Tesanovich and NexWafe VP of Business Development USA Jonathan Pickering signing the wafer‑supply agreement at Intersolar North America.

Under the agreement, NexWafe and Talon anticipate wafer‑supply volumes initially through 2032, representing a cumulative total of approximately 7 GW of silicon wafers to support Talon’s planned U.S. cell production. The partnership is subject to the execution of definitive long‑term supply documentation and the completion of customary technical qualification and investment conditions.

The partnership aligns Talon’s planned 4.8‑GW TOPCon cell‑manufacturing facility in Baytown, Texas, with NexWafe’s EpiNex wafer platform, initially produced from NexWafe’s pilot‑scale operations in Bitterfeld, Germany. Over time, the collaboration supports a pathway toward future multi‑gigawatt manufacturing expansion in the United States through NexWafe‑led partnerships with established industry players. Together, the companies aim to strengthen domestic content in solar products, reduce reliance on imported silicon‑based components and advance a resilient Western‑aligned supply chain for next‑generation photovoltaics.

“We are pleased to establish this partnership with NexWafe as we advance Talon’s U.S. manufacturing roadmap,” said Adam Tesanovich, CEO and co‑founder of Talon PV. “NexWafe’s innovative EpiNex wafer technology offers an exciting opportunity to further enhance TOPCon performance while building a strong domestic and Western‑aligned supply chain.”

Talon PV is establishing a TOPCon pilot line at Fraunhofer ISE, and the initial EpiNex wafer qualification work will be conducted at Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, Germany.

“This agreement with Talon PV represents an important step toward building a next‑generation wafer‑to‑cell ecosystem spanning Germany and the United States,” said Davor Sutija, PhD, CEO of NexWafe. “NexWafe is committed to enabling high‑efficiency solar manufacturing through advanced substrates, and we look forward to working with Talon to qualify EpiNex wafers and further push the performance frontier for TOPCon solar cells.”

Image: A woman with shoulder‑length brown hair smiles broadly while wearing a blue button‑down shirt, against an out‑of‑focus green background.

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Kelly Pickerel has more than 15 years of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World.

Email: [email protected]