“The plant will be built on 60,000 square meters and will be developed in two phases, totalling 415 million euros" informed Isofotón. The first phase, scheduled for 2009, wil require an investment of 250 million euros, and “will reach a production capacity of 2,500 tonnes of polysilicon per year". In the second phase, scheduled for the end of 2010, the production capacity will reach an impressive 5,000 tonnes per year.

Wafers are made of silicon. The supply chain continues with the manufacture of cells and modules. currently, Japan is the biggest producer with 51% of the global market, followed by Europe (29%) and America (9%), according to Isofotón. “This fact, together with the growing demand for this raw material, both by the solar PV and microelectronic industries, has created a supply problem that Silicio Energía will address”.

Only 9 companies mass-produce polysilicon globaly, what has contributed to its scarcity in the last years, having as a consequence delays and price increases for many solar photovoltaic projects. In this sense, the  Silicio Energía project marks a milestone for the Spanish solar PV industry, while being an important opportunity for Andalusia's economic development. Besides of corporate taxes, the project will bring 485 new jobs to the region.  

For Isofotón, the project “means a promotion of its business, a greater involvement from the beginning of the supply chain, a shoreter distance and a greater responsiveness as concerns raw materials”, according to the Malaga-based company. “This will allow a better understanding of the market needs and a greater supply capacity for customers, thus ensuring competitiveness in the global and Spanish photovoltaic markets".

For additional information:
www.isofoton.com