Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Masdar breaks ground on photovoltaic factory in Germany

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Abstract:
UAE. Less than three months after announcing a strategic investment into thin-film photovoltaics, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi renewable energy company, yesterday broke ground on its first photovoltaic production plant in Ichtershausen, Germany.

Masdar breaks ground on photovoltaic factory in Germany

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates | Posted on August 21st, 2008

The plant will use advanced production technologies to bring PV closer towards grid parity, and enhance a local economy with a rich history of manufacturing and technology.

The US$230 million German plant marks the first phase of Masdar's US$2 billion investment in thin-film PV manufacturing, one of the largest investments ever made in solar. To be opened in third quarter 2009, the plant has a targeted annual production capacity of 70MW, and will create more than 180 green jobs.

It will produce the world's largest (5.7 sqauare metres) and most powerful PV modules, on equipment from the world's leading supplier Applied Materials, to drive the cost reductions necessary to make solar energy an affordable reality.

As a leading global centre for PV technology, Germany was selected as Masdar's first PV plant location. The German plant will act as a blueprint for technology and knowledge transfer to a 140MW Abu Dhabi plant, which will begin initial production by third quarter 2010. Output from both facilities has already been committed to major PV system installers in Europe, and for Masdar's own energy generation needs.

"Thuringia is a modern business location," said Dieter Althaus, Prime Minister of State of Thuringia. "Within Germany we hold a leading position in modern environmental technologies especially in trendsetting solar energy. We are pleased that Abu Dhabi chose Germany and particularly Thuringia as a model for technology and knowledge transfer. Germany's technology base combines well with Masdar's vision to accelerate the development and adoption of clean energy solutions on a global basis."

Masdar PV represents a significant advancement of German-UAE trade relations, particularly as it addresses a new area of cooperation in providing clean and sustainable energy solutions for both countries. The United Arab Emirates is one of Germany's major trading partners in the Gulf region with non-oil trade, currently worth nearly US$7 billion.

In addition, it furthers Masdar's existing investment and research ties with German companies and organizations, including Siemens, RWTH Aachen University and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

"Abu Dhabi's geography and our vision to become a world leader in renewable energy, makes thin-film PV a natural area of focus for Masdar," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. "Germany, with its technology, highly-skilled workforce, attractive investment climate, and direct access to the European market, make it an ideal partner for Masdar."

"It is especially satisfying to be working together in bringing the world one step closer to a future of clean energy," Al Jaber added.

Present at the groundbreaking were Dieter Althaus, Prime Minister Thuringia; HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmoud, UAE Ambassador to Germany; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar; Dr Hermann Scheer, Member of the German Parliament; Klaus von der Krone, Mayor Ichtershausen; and representatives from the Masdar PV Management team.

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About Masdar
The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted, multi-billion
dollar investment in the development and commercialization of innovative
technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as
sustainable design. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company
(ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the
Mubadala Development Company. In January 2008, Abu Dhabi announced it will
invest $15 billion in Masdar, the largest single government investment of
its kind.

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