PV solar panels

Three key global manufacturers announced they entered an agreement to produce triple-junction thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels in Italy.  Enel Green Power, Sharp and STMicroelectronics are joining forces at what will be the largest PV manufacturing plant in the world.

Each company brings a unique, valuable contribution to the joint venture.

Enel Green Power is a leader in international market development and project management expertise.  Sharp is well-known for its exclusive triple-junction thin-film technology – operational this spring in its Sakai, Japan plant.  Finally, STMicroelectronics brings valuable skills and resources to the table with respect to advanced, high-tech sectors such as microelectronics.

Catania, Italy PV Manufacturing Plant

The solar manufacturing plant is located in Catania, Italy, in a factory contributed by STMicroelectronics.  When operations begin in 2011, an initial PV panel production capacity of 160 MW per year is projected.  This represents the single greatest production of solar panels in the country.  Growth targets for the facility are planned to increase capacity to 480 MW annually.

Catania, Italy on the Island of Sicily

The Catania facility is ideally-situated to take advantage of an existing semiconductor plant and related facilities.  Employees will not be difficult to find from the existing workforce that is already skilled in silicon-based manufacturing.  The Sicily region is considered to be a key area for development of solar farms.

The triple-junction thin-film photovoltaic panels that will be produced are well suited for medium to large-scale photovoltaic power generation.  They are superior to ordinary silicon solar panels in that they maintain high efficiency even in hot climates.  In addition, a lower silicon content means that pricing of the thin film PV panels may be more consistent, and less vulnerable to raw silicon price volatility.

Investment in a Solar Future

The initial PV manufacturing project requires an investment of 320 Million euros, which will come primarily from a combination of equity, state grants and project financing. Each of the three partner will contribute one third of the equity (up to 70 million Euros each), and will hold one third of the shares in the new Joint Venture Company.

Benefiting Markets

Triple Junction Thin Film Solar Cell

The new PV manufacturing plant is centrally located to reach some of the most attractive solar markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa.  Enel Green Power and Sharp will utilize their well-developed sales network, as well as jointly develop solar farms in the region.  The companies plan a cumulative capacity of 500 MW by the end of 2016, using photovoltaic panels manufactured at the Catania factory.

Overall solar panel demand could rise gloabally as a result of the infusion of a high volume of efficient, relatively inexpensive triple junction thin film solar panels.  Corporations and utilities witnessing the effect of the largest PV manufacturing plant in the world just may consider switching to solar power.

Solar mirrors in Spain

Solar mirrors, the reflective surfaces that are used for concentrated solar power, are manufactured right here in the USA.  Utility-scale solar power, generated by CSP – also known as thermal solar power – is used in California, Nevada, Spain and will soon be constructed in the Sahara Desert.

Many of these facilities use FLABEG solar mirrors.

Also known as parabolic panels or solar thermal collectors, solar mirrors are installed on the ground to reflect solar energy towards hot water tanks.  The water is then superheated to produce steam, which turns turbines and generates clean, green electricity.

In Pittsburgh, PA, a new solar mirror manufacturing plant was opened last week by German company, FLABEG.  The corporation now owns and operates 11 factories worldwide, focused on supplying fine glass products.  As announced on its website:

FLABEG doubles its capacities for solar mirrors. Starting in late 2009, the full range of high performance mirrors for concentrating solar power (CSP) will be manufactured on a production area of 22,465 sq.m. FLABEG’s product range then covers all solar technologies, including parabolic trough power plants, power tower, linear Fresnel and parabolic dish applications. FLABEG Solar chose Allegheny County because of its skilled work force, and 200 jobs will be created in the Clinton Commerce Park. FLABEG’s strength is the application of new technologies using innovative methods to provide renewable solar energy for our future.

The new FLABEG solar mirror plant has created 300 new green jobs in the region.  Located in the Clinton Commerce Park, near the Pittsburgh International Airport, the 209,000 square foot facility is already up and running.  First solar mirror production orders will be shipped this month.

The new solar mirror plant has a greater product range than some of the company’s other operational plants.  I was surprised to read the following from the FLABEG website:

These days, concentrating solar power (CSP) is the only solar technology that could achieve the level of output required to replace fossil-fueled and nuclear power plants. The first nine privately funded plants of this nature (SEGS I-IX), which are still in commercial service, were built between 1984 and 1991 in California’s Mojave Desert – and fitted with FLABEG mirrors. Though this was quite a success story, it was a good fifteen years before the next CSP project came to fruition.

If you live in the United States and want more information about the FLABEG solar mirrors plant, be sure to contact:

FLABEG Technical Glass
U.S. Corporation
Church & Bridge Street
Po Box 71
Naugatuck, CT 06770
Connecticut
USA
Tel. +1 203 – 729 5227
joe.bonessi@flabeg.com