RUSNANO, the Russian Corporation for Nanotechnologies, will start to produce solar modules using thin-film technology. The project was announced last Wednesday (May 20) after the approval given by RUSNANO’s Supervisory Council. RUSNANO CEO Anatoly Chubais referred to the project as “creating the largest base in Russia for the production of solar batteries” and “the most significant investment in alternative energy on the territory of the Russian Federation.”
The facility for the project will be built at the Khimprom industrial park, in the city of Novocheboksarsk of the Chuvash Republic. One million solar modules annually, equivalent to 120 megawatts a year, is the target capacity. Construction will begin on the third quarter of this year. The target capacity is planned to be reached by the fourth quarter of 2011.
Micromorph silicon thin-film technology developed by Swiss company Oerlikon Solar will be used as a basic technique in the project.
A new company will be established for the project. The RENOVA Group, a Russian conglomerate dealing in energy and other sectors, will partner with RUSNANO. Revenue of RUB10.3 billion is expected by 2015. An investment of RUB20.1 billion has been set. RUB3.7 billion will be contributed by RUSNANO for the new company’s equity. A loan of RUB9.8 billion will also be granted. RUSNANO will own 49% equity share while RENOVA will own 51% and handle development.
The project also involves the setting up of a research center, equipment for which will cost about RUB1 billion. The center will be responsible for developing ways of making the solar modules more effective. Collaboration will be made with the Ioffe Physical Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
RUSNANO’s Supervisory Council earlier approved the corporation’s participation in the development of Russia’s first large-scale complex for polycrystalline silicon and monosilane production. The said raw materials are used in solar battery manufacture.
According to studies by US-based Lux Research, the silicon thin-film market was valued at 0.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2008. This figure is expected to rise to 2.4 GW by 2012, translating to a monetary growth of $8.6 billion from $3.8 billion. Southern European (Italy, Spain, and Greece) and German markets are being targeted for the sale of the products with RENOVA’s Avelar Energy Group as player. Up to 15% of the solar modules will soon be directed towards the Russian market.
- Jen Balboa
RUSNANO invests in solar thin-film, pushes Russia towards solar technology leadership
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