One of the first mass production thin-film solar plants has opened its doors. Schott Solar invested Euro $75 million in a manufacturing facility located in Jena, Germany, capable of generating 33 megawatts (MW) a year.
The state-of-the-art facility is one of the first to mass produce thin-film solar modules by vapor-depositing silicon onto thin panes of glass.
Udo Ungeheuer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Schott, emphasized the strategic importance of this production facility: “By engaging in high-technology mass production of thin-film modules, we are creating a second source of revenue for our photovoltaic activities. As with wafer-based technology, we will now be improving our position among the world’s leading manufacturers in the field of thin-film technology, as well. Furthermore, we will be turning Jena into a site with strong solar expertise.”
Schott Solar produces ASI® thin-film modules based on amorphous silicon (ASI) under nearly fully-automated, clean room conditions. The company says more than 1,000 framed standard modules (130 x 110 cm) will be manufactured each day for roof-top and ground-mounted PV systems. In addition, the company will manufacture raw modules in various sizes for customized photovoltaic (PV) uses.
Ungeheuer says thin-film technology offers a number of advantages. “Thin-film technology effectively saves raw materials, because it requires far less silicon. Furthermore, as a result of the great flexibility with respect to shape and design, thin-film modules are perfectly suited for integration in buildings. They offer architects interesting possibilities to create glazing applications for windows, roofs and facades in conjunction with environmentally-friendly power generation.”
Schott Solar is the solar arm of The Schott Group, which has manufacturing facilities in Alzenau (Bavaria), the Czech Republic and the U.S. Its main focus is manufacturing wafer-based cells and modules. It plans to expand production to 450MW by 2010.
Schott Solar began pursuing wafer production with silicon manufacturer Wacker Chemie at the beginning of October, 2007. This week Schott and Wacker officially laid the cornerstone for a new joint venture, a solar wafer manufacturing facility in Jena, under the name Wacker Schott Solar.
Schott Solar has been operating a pilot thin film plant near Munich since 1988. It plans to expand thin film product to 100 MW per year by 2010.
In addition to PV, SCHOTT is also active in solar thermal. SCHOTT Solarthermie, a subsidiary based in Mitterteich (Bavaria), manufactures solar receivers – a key component of solar thermal power plants.
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