Stockholm, Sweden [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Swedish metals manufacturing and technology company Luvata has announced aggressive growth plans for the production of its Sunwire photovoltaic (PV) cell stringing wire, doubling capacity in Europe, followed by significant expansion in the emerging markets in Asia and the U.S.
According to Luvata, its plans to boost production of its copper-based ribbon, used to create high performance connections to the silicon cells, are in line with industry growth and in anticipation of predicted future demand.
The planned EUR 20 million [US $29.7 million] investment will see production at its plant in Pori, Finland, double from 500 megawatts (MW) to 1 gigawatt by 2009. In the latter half of 2008, work will also begin on a new manufacturing facility in Malaysia with 500 MW of capacity and continue in 2009 with expansion of production at existing plants in the US.
