AMG Advanced Metallurgical buys BP Solar's solar casting technology

(ADPnews) - Dec 22, 2010 - Netherlands' speciality metals firm AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group (AMS:AMG) today said it had bought intellectual property and production assets for a solar casting technology from BP Solar International, a unit of UK oil major BP (LON:BP).

AMG said the deal would enhance its solar technology portfolio and notably expand its share in the US solar market.

The Mono2 solar casting technology is a patented process for the production of high-efficiency monocrystalline-like silicon ingots by utilizing standard SCU furnaces using various feedstock, including polysilicon and upgraded metallurgical silicon. BP Solar developed the technology in collaboration with the US Department of Energy.

AMG wil integrate Mono2 in the ALD SCU400plus and SCU600plus solar melting and crystallization vacuum furnaces of its engineering systems division, ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH. The technology is anticipated to boost the efficiency of cells produced from ALD's SCU systems to more than 17% at a competitive cost.

First test ingots with Mono2 are slated for production in the beginning of 2011 and supplies of Mono2 integrated furnace are seen in the second half of the year.

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