Germany’s SolarWorld AG held a topping-out ceremony this week for its new production facility for solar silicon wafers in Freiberg’s Industrial Estate East.

The new plant is eventually expected to have a production capacity of half a gigawatt per year. With an investment volume of some €350 million, it’s one of the largest investment projects of the solar power group.

“Thanks to our development work and the latest technological processes we will be able to produce wafers in a particularly resource-friendly and cost-effective way,” said Frank H. Asbeck, chairman and CEO of SolarWorld. “The day when solar power from the roof will be cheaper for the consumer than electricity from the wall socket is getting closer.”

“The decision by SolarWorld AG to expand its Freiberg site by the addition of the highly modern production hall is a great day for Saxony, especially for Freiberg and the employees of the company,” said Stanislaw Tillich, Prime Minister of the State of Saxony. “Innovative companies, highly qualified skilled workers as well as universities and research establishments have in the last few years made significant contributions to the growing sales and employment figures in the photovoltaic industry in Saxony. I take it for granted that this growth will continue by a multiple in the medium term.”

The new facility features a system that will recover waste heat from production for the heating of the building. The company is also installing a 300-metre-long, 1-megawatt  photovoltaic system on the roof that can cover the power requirements of 1,000 inhabitants.

Tags: photovoltaics