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BIA-Brukerstyrt innovasjonsarena

Low-cost wafers for high-end PV

Awarded: NOK 16.6 mill.

Project Manager:

Project Number:

188012

Project Period:

2008 - 2012

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Norway has proven to be uniquely positioned to take a great share in the growth in PV. With basis in the world-leading competence in the Norwegian metallurgical industry and R&D institutions, several companies have emerged with the main focus on productio n of the required ultra-high-purity silicon feedstock, solidification processing of mono- and multicrystalline ingots, and sawing of these ingots into thin silicon wafers. NorSun is a newcomer to the Norwegian PV industry, founded by the REC-founder Dr Al f Bjørseth in December 2005, and is presently finishing the erction of a plant in Årdal for production of monocrystalline silicon wafers for high-efficiency solar cells. NorSun has already secured a large long-term contract for ingot and wafer delivery to the leading solar cell manufacturer SunPower and will have 170 employees in Norway by the end of 2008. A site study for the localisation of the second wafer plant is being carried out and will position NorSun among the three largest producers of monocrys talline wafers for PV application worldwide by 2010. To secure this position for the future, NorSun launches an extensive R&D program together with key suppliers, like MeyerBurger and Prediktor, and strategic R&D partners, like SINTEF and NTNU. The projec t will be dedicated to innovation developments within Czochralski crystal pulling and wafering of the crystals.

Funding scheme:

BIA-Brukerstyrt innovasjonsarena