Oerlikon Solar recently announced that Nano Solar Technology Ltd (NST),
a newly formed Russian high-tech firm, has ordered a 120 MW end-to-end
Micromorph line for production of thin film solar modules. NST
is a joint venture between Renova Group and the Russian Corporation of
Nanotechnologies (Rusnano). With the envisaged production capacity of
one million solar modules annually, this is the largest equipment order
in the worldwide thin film silicon PV market in 2009 to-date.
The
order includes Oerlikon Solar's Micromorph® technology which raises
module efficiency by up to 50 percent over prior generation
technologies. The equipment will be delivered in 2010 to the new site
currently under construction in Novocheboksarsk (Chuvash Republic). The
start of production is scheduled for 2011. The order also encompasses a
comprehensive multi-year service agreement, provided by Oerlikon
Solar's global customer support team.
Establishing production of
thin film solar modules in the Chuvash Republic is part of Rusnano's
strategy to develop the high tech economy in Russia by co-investing in
nanotechnology industry projects. Through acting as a catalyst
for private co-investments, Rusnano aims at creating conditions
favourable to developing cutting edge nanotechnology in Russia, the
joint venture with Renova being a good example.
"Oerlikon Solar
emerged from a thorough evaluation process to identify the best
technology partner for our project, because of its leading technology,"
said Yaroslav Kuznetsov, CEO of NST.
"This is a win-win
situation for all parties involved. Oerlikon Solar can establish a
strong presence in the Russian market and the Russian economy has made
another step as a state-of-the-art production site", continued Yaroslav
Kuznetsov. In addition to the planned production line from
Oerlikon, Rusnano plans to set up a major research center that will
focus on increasing the effectiveness of the solar modules in
cooperation with the Ioffe Physical Technical Institute of the Russian
Academy of Sciences.
The JV of Rusnano and Renova will be the
latest Micromorph end-to-end line customer for Oerlikon Solar to take
advantage of the company's proven high-performance low cost PV module
production solution. It will deliver Micromorph PV modules to serve the
growing market for solar PV applications. The company will address PV
markets such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Germany.
Oerlikon
Solar's leading edge production solutions are having a major impact on
the market as more and more companies launch their production.
"Russia
and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) offer great market
potential for Oerlikon in the medium and long-term", said Oerlikon CEO
Dr. Uwe Krueger. Already today, the Oerlikon Segments Coating, Vacuum,
Textile and Drive Systems are conducting business in Russia. With the
substantial order from NST, Oerlikon Solar established itself in this
important economic zone as well.
"The contract confirms our
leading edge technology and our unique ability to quickly implement and
scale up commercially successful mass production of thin film solar
modules. The 120 MW Micromorph end-to-end production line will position
NST as a key player among thin film PV manufacturers," continued Dr.
Uwe Krueger, CEO of OC Oerlikon.
Oerlikon Solar is committed
to the highest quality of customer support and is taking great measures
to ensure that resources and delivery capabilities grow to meet the
needs of future expansion in the solar industry.
Oerlikon Solar's technology gaining momentum
In
addition to expansion into new markets, several existing Oerlikon Solar
customers have recently announced new off-take agreements to deliver PV
panels manufactured on Oerlikon Solar's end-to-end lines.
HelioSphera
(Greece) announced the signing of a long term supply agreement with
Techno Spot, a major Italian distributor of photovoltaic modules and
components. Under this agreement, HelioSphera will supply a minimum of
9 MW of Micromorph thin film modules between 2009 and 2010. German
based Sinosol AG has announced agreements with two Taiwanese Oerlikon
Solar customers for a total of 68 MW.
"We clearly see improving
market conditions for the solar PV industry at mid-year showing a mid-
to long-term growth trend in demand for overall renewable energy and
especially for solar PV applications", stated Oerlikon CEO Uwe Krueger.
According
to a recently published study by New Energy Finance, new investments in
clean energy worldwide rallied in the second quarter of 2009, reaching
$24.3bn, almost double the amount invested worldwide during Q1 2009.
According to New Energy Finance, this improving trend in Q2 was led by
investments in asset finance for large solar and wind energy projects.
