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Oerlikon Promises 30% Lower Solar Module Production Costs in 2010

January 20, 2010 | 2 Comments

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Trubbach, Switzerland [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Oerlikon Solar this week at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, said that it plans to reach production costs at grid parity by the end of this year meaning the company is on track to offer its customers an advanced fab design capable of producing modules for $0.70/W by that time.

Oerlikon CEO Jürg Henz, said that a big part of the company's strategy is to capitalize on emerging markets including Abu Dhabi and the rest of the United Arab Emerites.

In the past 12 months, Oerlikon Solar said that it has driven down module costs by around 25 percent, raising efficiency and improving the productivity of its lines from 60 MW in 2008 to 100 MW in 2009 without additional equipment.

The company also said that it is on track to deliver another 30% cost reduction by end of 2010 enabling customers to offer solar electricity at grid-competitive prices in many parts of the world.

Oerlikon CEO Jürg Henz, said that a big part of the company's strategy is to capitalize on emerging markets including Abu Dhabi and the rest of the United Arab Emerites.

“Oerlikon Solar’s goal is to make solar power economically viable around the world,” Henz said. ”We see Abu Dhabi as a key market in helping us reach that goal and commend the United Arab Emirates for their commitment in helping bring thin film PV manufacturing to the forefront.”

In April 2006, Abu Dhabi made a bold and historic decision to embrace renewable and sustainable energy solutions. Over the past year, government policies were introduced in many regions, including the United Arab Emirates, which were intended to accelerate investment in solar PV systems and solar PV manufacturing as part of economic stimulus programs. Abu Dhabi aims to generate seven percent of the electricity it generates to come from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Solar Energy

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Anonymous

January 21, 2010

What does this actually mean? Is it assumed to be a 10 year amortization based on current or projected electric rates? Is it net metering? I've heard Evergreen Solar state that they'd be competitive with the grid by 2013, but they aren't explicit about what this means. Would the local utility offer you the ability to install and pay for the array on a monthly payment basis? Would that make it sort of a lease/purchase option? Would they sock on interest on that as though it were a credit card purchase? Does the cost of the array get put into the deed, i.e., if the homeowner sells, does the payment plan continue or must it be settled via the dwelling sale (interesting impact on appraisals)? What about condos?

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IggyDalrymple

January 21, 2010

Why is it, impending breakthroughs are always just around the corner? If you're so confident that you're only a few months away, why not wait until you've proved it? I've about overdosed on 40 years of breakthroughs.

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