Venture Aims to Accelerate Industry Growth by Removing Raw Material Constraints

US PV manufacturer, Astropower and Elkem of Norway, the world's largest silicon processor, signed a technical cooperation agreement in December 2000 aimed at finalizing a low-cost process for manufacturing large-volumes of solar-grade silicon.

Both companies have been researching feedstock issues for several years, and have been cooperating since 1998 to develop a solar-grade silicon manufacturing process. The agreement calls for the future establishment of a jointly-owned manufacturing venture, based in Norway and managed by Elkem, that will supply low-cost silicon feedstock to the global solar power industry.

The limited availability and high price of solar-grade silicon feedstock have hampered solar industry growth, noticeably in recent years as electronics industry 'scrap' has become a more valued commodity.

Contact:

• Astropower
  Fax: +1 302 368 6087

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