Evonik and SolarWorld Open Solar Silicon Plant – Production Process Has Energy-Saving Features
Aug 8, 2008 – Rheinfelden, Germany – Evonik Industries [private company] [51%] and SolarWorld [SWV] opened their joint venture new solar silicon plant near Baden. The joint venture is using an innovative process that enables energy savings of up to 90% compared to conventional solar silicon production. A key point in manufacturing new technologies is not to waste energy in producing systems to save energy. This could be an important step for this joint venture. They are projecting that in the near future solar power will be cheaper than conventionally produced electricity. The Rheinfelden facility will start with an annual production capacity of 850 metric tons of solar silicon. The process being utilized was developed in collaboration with leading universities. Evonik is allocating up to 2 billion euros to PVs and related energy efficiency products between 2008 and 2010.
