Private equity firm FH Capital has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 75.1% stake in JinkoSolar’s U.S. subsidiary. Jinko will retain a 24.9% minority interest.
Jinko’s operations in Florida. Credit: Solar Power World
This means there is a new controlling ownership of Jinko’s 2-GW solar panel assembly facility in Florida. FH Capital says it will provide additional capital to double the current solar module production capacity and initiate domestic battery energy storage system manufacturing.
“FH Capital brings deep sector expertise, financing experience and a deep understanding of the U.S. market,” said Nigel Cockroft, U.S. General Manager of JinkoSolar. “We believe this transaction provides the right ownership, management and strategic direction for this new venture to grow capacity and serve the growing demand for high performance U.S.-sourced renewable energy products.”
FH Capital is led by Managing Partner Sanjeev Chaurasia, a veteran renewable energy investment banker and investor with more than 23 years of sector experience. Mr. Chaurasia previously served as Managing Director at Credit Suisse, where he co‑founded the firm’s renewable energy practice, headed global coverage of solar investment banking and led JinkoSolar’s IPO on the NYSE in 2010.
“The transaction leverages JinkoSolar’s well established seven-year U.S. manufacturing presence, proven technology and strong relationships with blue-chip U.S. customers, with FH Capital’s capabilities to create and manage a dynamic platform positioned to meet rising demand for domestic solar and storage solutions,” Chaurasia said.
Jinko joins the growing list of Chinese companies manufacturing in the United States that have changed ownership profiles to comply with foreign entity of concern (FEOC) requirements set forth by the U.S. government. The new FEOC stipulations prevent U.S. solar and storage project developers from using products with too much Chinese influence. Battery manufacturer AESC sold its Tennessee operations to new U.S. firm Fixx Energy, and panel manufacturing Boviet Solar was recently acquired by Indian company Inox Clean Energy.