Calyxo GmbH of Bitterfeld/Wolfen-Thalheim, Germany, the largest manufacturer of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels in Europe (with a current annual capacity of 85MW), says it welcomes the agreements between European Union and China over imports of Chinese solar panels (for Chinese modules to be offered at a minimum price of €0.56/Wp in the Europe in the near future).
For customers of Chinese companies buying at lower prices, punitive tariffs ranging from 37.2% to 67.9% will apply, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht has declared.
As one of few firms in Germany, Calyxo says it has been able to survive the years of alleged Chinese dumping in Germany. The firm says that it provides modules based on an atmospheric production process and also offers suitable mounting systems, complete design and installation of PV-systems.
"Module prices below €0.56/Wp can be realized without any problem by Calyxo today, and marginal higher BOS [balance of system] costs can be compensated by our customers based on a price advantage of the modules and additional yield of thin-film modules," says CEO Dr Florian Holzapfel. "As a consequence, our customers not only have lower investment costs, but also a better return on their investment," he claims. "Our capacity expansion at Thalheim comes online exactly at the right point in time."
