Jun 18 2010
The swift growth of Germany’s PV market continues, with new investments announced by numerous solar firms namely Juwi, SolarWorld, Avancis and First Solar. First Solar, a thin-film solar modules manufacturer, is doubling its capacity of production in Germany. Developments such as these highlight the strength of the industry and spark confidence for the market’s future growth.
Recently, First Solar has announced an investment of more than $200 million in its plant at Frankfurt, Germany. This investment will help increase the plant’s capacity of annual production to 446 W, and in the process help create hundreds of jobs. Moreover, this investment has attracted €30 million in incentives from the regional and federal governments. First Solar received support from Germany Trade & Invest for this investment.
In another development, Avancis, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, has announced its plans of investing in a novel plant in Torgau, Germany. This new plant will manufacture thin-film (Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide) CIGS photovoltaic panels. It will have a production capacity of 100 MW annually and is likely to come into full-fledged operations by Q1 of 2012.
German-based solar firms Juwi and SolarWorld have also made announcements on investing in Germany. SolarWorld has announced an investment of €350 million in a novel manufacturing facility in Freiberg, Germany. This plant will take the solar wafer production output of SolarWorld to 750 MW by 2010. Meanwhile, Juwi has announced plans to invest in a novel plant in Brandis, Germany, which will provide 80 new jobs.
Germany is the largest PV market in the world. In 2009, installations in Germany accounted to 3.8 GWp. Germany boasts of an experience and qualified workforce, sizable equipment supplier base and robust industrial infrastructure.
Source: http://www.firstsolar.com/