June 20, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — HEERLEN, THE NETHERLANDS, and AACHEN, GERMANY — Solland Solar is planning its second expansion within one year. The shareholders of the solar cell producer have agreed to increase production capacity almost threefold. From mid-2008, Solland Solar will be able to produce solar power with a total capacity of 170 MWp per year, instead of the current 60 MWp/a.
With a view to the expansion, Solland Solar is constructing an extra production hall on the German part of the Avantis industrial park, located midway between Heerlen and Aachen, where the company is based. According to the current plans, the new production capacity will be put into full service in the spring of 2008. Space has already been reserved on the current location for another two production halls in anticipation of further expansion.
Solland Solar’s expansion is being undertaken in anticipation of the growing demand for solar energy. Research by the German Photon Consulting confirmed at the beginning of April that there is an increasing demand in the market, stimulated by the global concern about climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). Because of this, CO2-free alternatives such as solar energy are becoming increasingly popular. Photon estimated for example that the current production capacity of solar cells, 2.7 GW, will have increased fourfold in 2010.
Solar energy is also becoming increasingly appealing to consumers due to its significantly lower cost. According to calculations by the EPIA, the industry association devoted to the European solar market, cost price will amount to EUR 0.20 per kWh within the next 10 years.
Solland Solar
Solland Solar is a Dutch-German manufacturer of solar cells (photovoltaic cells). Solland Solar’s capacity came to 20 MWp/a at the start of production towards the end of 2005. After a recent expansion, the capacity was increased to 60 MWp/a, with a view to reaching the level of 170 MWp/a from mid-2008.
Constant growth is a key objective of Solland Solar, which strives for a production capacity of 500 MWp/a in 2010 (2007: 60 MWp/a), with relevant turnover of EUR 1 billion (2006: EUR 40 million). The number of employees will also increase, from 160 in 2007 to 400 in 2008 and 1,000 in 2010.
Delta Solar and Sunergy acquired a controlling interest in Solland in February 2007.
The achievements of Solland Solar have not gone by unnoticed. It won “The Rising Star Award” of Deloitte/FEM Business in 2006 and the “Euregion Meuse-Rhine Investment Award” earlier this year.
Web site: www.sollandsolar.com
Source: Solland Solar
Contact:
Wendy Kleijnen, Public Relations Dept.
Tel.: +31(0)45-8800-600
E-mail: [email protected]