SCHOTT Solar Expands PV Production in Czech Republic

Production of wafers, cells and modules will be expanded in both Germany and the Czech Republic. Research and development and sales activities are to be extended on a global basis. Access to the silicon material that will be required in order to expand activities is already secured.

The new manufacturing facility in Jena, Germany, that will produce thin-film solar electricity modules will become operational, as planned, in the fall of 2007. The production capacity will reach 33 megawatts per year. The company has already invested Euro 60 million towards this initiative.

In addition to thin-film technology, SCHOTT Solar will also be extending its crystalline business to include all levels of the value creation chain. Wafer, cell and module manufacturing will be modernized and expanded at existing company sites, mainly in Alzenau and Jena, Germany, as well as Valasske Mezirici in the Czech Republic.

"Massive investments in research and development will enable more efficient manufacturing, higher levels of efficiency and additional improvements in the quality of our products. Here, SCHOTT Solar will be cooperating closely with renowned institutes and universities on an international basis in order to extend its technological leadership position," said Dr. Martin Heming, Managing Director of SCHOTT Solar GmbH and a member of the Corporate Management Committee at SCHOTT AG.

In other news, Cal State, Fresno, with the help of ChevronTexaco, is currently installing 1.173 MW of SCHOTT PV ASE panels in a carport installation. View progress via a webcam that's currently following the progress of the installation (using second link below).