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August 17, 2009
Truebbach,
Switzerland: Oerlikon Receives 120MW Thin Film Manufacturing Plant
Order
Oerlikon
Solar today 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 photovoltaic 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 Joint Venture 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.
"Russia
and the Commonwealth of Independent States 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.
Further details about: Oerlikon
Solar and Rusnano
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