Aleo Solar cuts ribbon on 100-MW PV cell plant in Germany

German photovoltaic (PV) module maker Aleo Solar GmbH on Monday marked the official inauguration of a new factory at home able to produce about 100 MW of polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar cells.

Parent company, Taiwna’s Sino American Silicon Products Inc (SAS), announced the completion of the manufacturing plant in a press statement on Wednesday. Aleo Solar’s wholly-owned subsidiary Aleo Sunrise GmbH will be in charge of the cell production unit.

By the end of 2016, the two production lines at the site in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, are expected to yield approximately 30 MW of PERC solar cells using CELCO technology in fully continuous series production. The annual production capacity of the factory can be expanded with an additional two lines to 200 MW in total.

“We can produce 3-, 4- and 5-busbar cells and thanks to the Group’s proven CELCO technology achieve average efficiencies above 21% in mass production,” cell production head, Alexander Kasic, said.

The EUR-15-million (USD 16.5m) facility took nine months to construct and renovate and now employs 57 locals. Its German location will help the firm avoid anti-dumping duties and driving up costs in exchange rates, according to Aleo CEO, William Chen.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.100)

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