Calyxo GmbH of Bitterfeld/Wolfen-Thalheim, Germany, the largest manufacturer of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels in Europe, says that its new production line has been inaugurated in a ceremony attended by guests including Minister of Economic Affairs Dr Tamara Zieschang, Mayor Petra Wust, investors, suppliers, customers and the firm's closest partners.
The new fully automated production line has an annual capacity of 60MWp, with the option of extending it to 100MWp. Calyxo's existing production capacity is 85MW.
The firm did research work for its new manufacturing processes over four years. "Construction of the new production line took a total of 5 years, with a total investment of about €54m," says CEO Dr Florian Holzapfel - "a long construction phase" for the solar industry, he acknowledges. "But we have adjusted our strategic decisions in the market place, and now the new production line is a clear sign that we and the Calyxo investors believe in the market of tomorrow," he adds.
For product development, Calyxo has cooperated with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Photovoltaics in Halle, Germany, among others. Also, the firm has been supported by the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
In the solar market the firms that survive are not automatically the ones that are strong but those that can adapt to the market and their requirements, believes chief technology officer Dr.-Ing. Michael Bauer.
Over the last year, Calyxo has been able to acquire and implement several EPC (engineering, procurement & construction) projects nationally and worldwide, proving the versatility of the company, it is claimed. With output spanning 75-85Wp, Calyxo's modules allow a variety of applications, from small installations in single family homes to large megawatt plants, the firm says.
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