Bosch Solar Energy AG opened its new crystalline solar cell production plant, marking the first phase in the extension of its production facilities in Thuringia, Germany.
The new facilities will enable Bosch to provide extra capacity of 10,000 cells an hour, which is equivalent to around 90 million solar cells a year.
In addition to cells, the new, 12,000 square-meter plant also includes part of the company’s wafer production. Bosch Solar Energy is working towards a vertically integrated factory which will unite all steps in the production process–from silicon ingots to finished modules. Bosch said the next step is to complete a module production facility on the campus over the coming months.
“We will thus cover the complete crystalline value creation chain down to the basic material of polysilicon. This not only guarantees optimum performance and quality from our products, but also enables us to leverage cost reduction and technology potential far more effectively,” says Holger von Hebel, Chief Executive at Bosch Solar Energy AG.
With this new plant, Bosch Solar Energy AG is looking to almost triple its nominal capacity to around 630 megawatts (MW). The expansion of its facilities is expected to be completed next year when the research and development center and the new main administrative building are finished.
The opening ceremony for the whole complex will be held in summer 2011. Bosch will have invested around EUR 530 million in this location by 2012.
Bosch acquired majority stakes in the solar cell technologies of Aleo Solar AG and Johanna Solar in November 2009.
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