Nov 16 2010
REC, a Norwegian Solar company, has launched its new integrated wafer, module and cell manufacturing units in Tuas, Singapore. This facility is said to be one of the largest units with REC’s investment of 2.5 billion Singapore dollars, its largest investment to date.
The facility was constructed utilizing 20% less than the budget allotment. At the outset, production of 590 MW modules, 550 MW cells and 740 MW wafers were planned. It has already produced its one millionth module well ahead of the scheduled time. Currently the target has been set to 800 MW by 2012 that is depicting almost a 35% increase.
200 locations all over the world were looked into before deciding on Singapore for developing this state of the art building, enclosing 321,000 square meters, requiring 8000 workers, and 17 million working hours, for completion. This facility includes remarkable environmental features, along with energy recovery systems, and waste water recycling systems. It has received the Gold Green Mark Award for its environmental efforts, as well as the ISO 9001. It has provided 1500 jobs with more in the offing. This facility with reduced production costs, and a 2011 target of 97 Euro cents per watt, includes an efficient integrated research and product development, quality control, supply chain, logistics, operations and customer support in place.
The one millionth module belongs to the REC Peak Energy Series, the first product to be manufactured at Tuas, delivering enhanced power, almost 7%, for each square meter, because of the many design upgrades. Around 190,000 modules are produced on a monthly basis, working towards achieving a 16.8% cell efficiency target by 2011. This series has already been put to use in 12 countries. According to Ole Enger, REC’s CEO, the company was positive that solar energy would play a vital role in the future, and that the partnership between REC’s efficient solar technological systems and Singapore’s global competitive spirit, would be very beneficial and make clean energy more accessible.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister, Singapore, and Leo Yip, Economic Development Board (EDB) Chairman and 500 other invited guests. A plant tour followed the ceremonial opening. Leo Yip applauded REC for achieving a major milestone in the clean energy sector in Singapore. He also expressed his happiness at REC’s choice of Singapore as a venue for its operations, and stated that EDB would continue in its efforts to fortify the clean energy industry by working with REC and other industry members.
Source: http://www.recgroup.com