"This major new facility demonstrates that Shell is investing now in order to become a market leader when solar is a larger part of the global energy mix," said Jeroen van der Veer, managing director of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.
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> issue 12 > Last updated: 19 June 2002 |
The world's most advanced solar cell production facility - Shell Renewables' fully automated plant in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, began operations in November. At full capacity the factory's twin production lines will turn out 25 MW of multi-crystalline silicon cells each year, enough to power up to 7 000 European households.
"This major new facility demonstrates that Shell is investing now in order to become a market leader when solar is a larger part of the global energy mix," said Jeroen van der Veer, managing director of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.
The Gelsenkirchen plant will meet demand in Europe and other markets, such as South Africa, India and Sri Lanka, where Shell Renewables has already established rural electrification businesses. A phased expansion from initial output of 10 MWp to full capacity is planned to meet increasing demand and at the same time allow the adoption of new production technology as it comes on stream in the near future.
Completed in just over a year, the plant will create 45 direct jobs and more than 200 jobs in manufacturing, marketing and the supply chain. In addition to the production capabilities, the facility also incorporates a Solar Education Centre and a roof terrace for special PV exhibits.
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