hrough a Management Buy-out and private investment SPG registered in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, announced the acquisition of the solar-grade silicon production facility in Bitterfeld from PV Crystalox Solar PLC (PVCS) in the UK.
The facility was completed in 2009 for an investment of ca.€ 120 Mio by PV Crystalox Solar Silicon GmbH (PVCSS) a 100%-subsidiary of PVCS PLC, and has a name plate capacity of ca. 1800 MT/a of solar-grade silicon.
Dr. Friedrich Schaaff, Managing Director of SPG, explained that during the time of operation more than 2000 MT of high-quality silicon was produced with high yield for high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells.
The facility has been in an idle mode of production since end of 2011 due to large overcapacities in the market and the dramatic price decrease for solar-grade silicon. SPG took over the facility and part of the staff together with the associated responsibilities related to the repayment of grants and subsidies. The company will further develop solar-grade silicon to reach lower cost at higher volume and will also extent its technology and engineering portfolio into new areas of application to open up new business opportunities.
Dr.Hilmar Tiefel, Managing Director of SPG and previously Managing Director at PVCSS commented:
”We are very happy that an agreement has been found with the State of Sachsen-Anhalt that allows for continuation of operating the plant, develop this important technology further, create the opportunity for new jobs and reach profitability. We appreciate that a satisfactory solution for all parties involved could be worked out allowing SP to become an important contributor to PV electricity.”
