Sep 11 2008
Photovoltech announces that it will increase the photovoltaic cell production capacity of its plant in Tienen, Belgium, from 140 MWp by end-2009 to 260 MWp by end 2010. For this a new production plant will be built at the present site.
By 2010, the cells produced in a year by Photovoltech should equip the roofs of more than 100,000 homes. This investment will create more than 150 jobs. Photovoltech’s investment is spurred by strong growth in the European market, in particular in Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Belgium and will cement Photovoltech’s position as a top-tier operator in the European photovoltaic solar energy market.
In this context of strong development and to secure long-term supply of essential components for photovoltaic cell production, Photovoltech has also signed a new wafer supply contract under which China’s LDK Solar will supply it with 400 MWp of silicon wafers over a period of ten years.
The new technology, specifically designed for thin silicon wafers, that will be used for the two new lines, has been developed jointly with IMEC.