Oerlikon Solar, a division of Swiss technology group Oerlikon (OBH.DE), announced Friday plans for a new facility in Singapore to increase production capacity and enter the Asian market.
The company says the new location will boost its presence and proximity to customers in Asia, while continuing to expand production, development and support for their thin-film silicon solar energy solutions.
According to a Reuters report, Oerlikon Solar CEO Jeannine Sargent said, "We would have at least equal capacity out of Asia as we do in Europe."
Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO of the Oerlikon group said the Singapore addition is expected to increase sales four-fold for the year 2009. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in Q109.
Oerlikon Solar says sales have exceeded this years planning and are expected to rise to more than CHF 700 million in 2008, with growth rates exceeding 50% over the next several years.
Thin-film silicon belongs to the next generation of solar energy solutions and has significant cost benefits compared to conventional crystalline processes. "We are at the very beginning of a revolution in the energy market, similar to the dawn of the new age experienced about 30 years ago in the semiconductor industry with the adoption of the integrated circuit," says Oerlikon Solar CEO Jeannine Sargent.
"After an in-depth analysis we have decided on Singapore as our second facility alongside our Solar headquarters in Truebbach, Switzerland," says Sargent. The decision criteria included access to a skilled workforce and scientists, a business friendly infrastructure including intellectual property protection, and the government’s commitment to build a national solar energy industry.
"Our Singapore operation will leverage an Asian-based supply chain and strategic outsourcing partnerships to enable cost and delivery advantages for our customers," says Sargent. Joint development programs will include process optimization and yield improvement for new solar solutions; and will be aligned with on-site customer training in realistic industrial conditions.
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