Less than three months after announcing a strategic investment into thin-film photovoltaics, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi renewable energy company, yesterday broke ground on its first photovoltaic production plant in Ichtershausen, Germany.
The $230 million German plant marks the first phase of Masdar’s $2 billion investment in thin-film PV manufacturing, one of the largest investments ever made in solar. To be opened in 3Q09, the plant has a targeted annual production capacity of 70 megawatts (MW).
The plant will produce the world’s largest (5.7 m2) PV modules, on equipment supplied by Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT).
The German plant will act as a blueprint for technology and knowledge transfer to a 140-MW Abu Dhabi plant, which is planned to begin initial production by 3Q10. Output from both facilities has already been committed to major PV system installers in Europe, and for Masdar’s own energy generation needs.
"Abu Dhabi’s geography and our vision to become a world leader in renewable energy, makes thin-film PV a natural area of focus for Masdar," said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. "Germany, with its technology, highly-skilled workforce, attractive investment climate, and direct access to the European market, make it an ideal partner for Masdar."
About Masdar
The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted, multi-billion dollar investment in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as sustainable design. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the Mubadala Development Company. In January 2008, Abu Dhabi announced it will invest $15 billion in Masdar, the largest single government investment of its kind.
Loading...