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Padua, Italy-based Silfab, supplier of high-grade polysilicon to the photovoltaics industry, has opened five new 1MW solar power plants in the Bari and Taranto regions of Southern Italy. The company has also hinted that it intends to develop an integrated PV supply chain in an undisclosed location in North America based on a ‘Green-to-Green’ business model.
While the company keeps its eye on the prize of having a planned 60+MW of solar farms in Italy by the end of 2010, the company seems to be putting its efforts into the new green-powered manufacturing plant. It claims that this would be the first PV manufacturing plant completely powered by renewable (hydroelectric) energy in producing the entire supply chain of products from polysilicon to modules.
Silfab’s plans for the future seem to have done away with the previously planned polysilicon manufacturing plant in Borgofranco d’Ivrea in Turin. With four new solar plants coming on line by the end of this year in the Apulia province of Bari, the company’s plans up to the end of 2009 will set the company back an estimated €60 million. 2010 will see the company expand its reach with the installation of several 1-5MW solar farms across Europe.
Silfab’s solar farms use monoaxial solar trackers claiming an increased output of 25-30%. With such developments in the pipeline for the company, the company’s current market capitalization of €84 million will be boosted with a capital increase to finance its expansions.
