Oerlikon Solar announces strategic solar partnership in China
Pfäffikon SZ (Switzerland), December 9, 2011 - Oerlikon Solar signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Cooperation Center for China Renewable Energy Society (CRES) to collaborate on Thin Film Silicon Solar technology in China.
The strategic partnership announced in Beijing today marks the start of a joint effort
to promote the benefits of the Oerlikon Thin Film Silicon Solar technology with an
emphasis on China, including:
- Research of Thin Film solar power electricity generation
- Supporting and participating in Demonstration projects undertaken by the International Cooperation Center for CRES
- Government policy advisory
- Organization of forums such as the 2012 "Conference on Thin-Film Solar Power Cell Technology"
Oerlikon Group CEO Dr. Michael Buscher, said: "In line with our continued focus on China, this co-operation is a further step in demonstrating the competitiveness of our thin film silicon technology in the world's biggest solar manufacturer market. Oerlikon Solar remains committed to reducing production costs to make photovoltaics an even more economically viable energy source."
Professor Shi Dinghuan, Chairman of China Renewable Energy Society said, "The International Cooperation Center of the Society will not only provide Chinese renewable energy enterprises with opportunities of international cooperation and exchange, but also help international enterprises to develop in China. Our strategy represents a bond between the international Cooperation Center and international renewable energy enterprises owning advanced technology and products. I am confident we can mutually benefit through cooperation and together promote China's renewable energy industry, and enhance the development and the application of renewable energy in China in a holistic way."
To date, Oerlikon Solar has sold 870 MW of manufacturing capacity (turnkey lines and equipment) to 15 customers in Europe and Asia. Six of these customers are manufacturing in China and 446 MW of the 870 MW contracted production capacity is already in annual mass production. More than five million panels have been produced on Oerlikon Solar's equipment since 2006.
Oerlikon Solar is the world leader in supplying advanced thin film silicon PV technology, and turnkey manufacturing solutions for the lowest production cost of high efficiency thin film silicon photovoltaic modules. In addition to making continual improvements in efficiency, the company has succeeded in lowering solar module production costs to € 0.43/Wp (China) with its end-to-end manufacturing solution ThinFabTM - less than half the cost of the previous generation.
The photovoltaics end market is currently concentrated in Europe, the United States, and Japan. Oerlikon Solar sees high growth potential in Asia and will strengthen its efforts in this region to be even closer to customers.
