The Hindu Business Line : Solar Semiconductor signs $1.2-b delivery pact with SolarWorld

Hyderabad, July 2 Solar Semiconductor has signed a delivery agreement with SolarWorld AG subsidiary Deutsche Solar AG, which operates one of the largest factories worldwide for the production of multi-crystalline solar silicon wafers.

The agreement is a multi-year contract for the delivery of wafers worth over $1.2 billion (Rs 5,160 crore).

The tie-up would help Solar Semiconductor, which has manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad, to strength its position as a rapidly growing international manufacturer of high-quality solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

“We are pleased to conclude a long term wafer-delivery agreement with SolarWorld AG,” commented Mr Hari Surapaneni, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Semiconductor.

“One of the key raw materials is the cell, which derives its high quality from the source wafer. As a rapidly growing manufacturer of high-quality modules, it is important to assure our customers that we not only use cells from reputed manufacturers, but also employ high-quality wafers to ensure high-quality cells,” he said in a press release.

“With this wafer contract we are securing the capacity utilisation of the first expansion stage of our new wafer factory in Freiberg,” said Mr Frank H. Asbeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SolarWorld AG.

Shortly, the group will start construction of the new wafer factory in an industrial park near Freiberg, Saxony. In the first expansion step the capacity at the Saxony location will be increased to a total of 750 MW, by adding 250 MW by 2009-end.

Apart from grid-coupled (on-grid) products the SolarWorld Group also sells off-grid solar power solutions. It employs about 2,000 people worldwide.

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