Both of these customers are each investing a double-digit amount in millions of euros for the systems that each comprise a total of 60 MW capacity. The agreements were recently signed a prepayment has already been made for one of the orders.
These two major companies, including one Chinese state operation, which is pushing its integration further along the photovoltaic value chain with its order, are new entrants to solar cell production. This turnkey solution allows them to secure a rapid production start and a cost-efficient manufacturing process.
While at one customer, the system will be shipped by the end of this year, and production will start up in the first quarter of 2011, the other customer will receive its production components in the first quarter of next year, with production start scheduled for the end of the first half of 2011.
"The turnkey business is starting to recover momentum. New entrants are exploiting low barriers to entry, and are receiving state-of-the-art technology and premium systems from the market leader", explained Dr. Peter Fath, Management Board member at centrotherm photovoltaics responsible for Technology and Marketing. The prospects are also pleasing: "We are engaged in advanced and promising discussions with further companies globally."
