Becancour Silicon, Inc. (BSI), a division of Timminco, has entered into an agreement to supply solar-grade silicon to Q-Cells AG. Q-Cells will receive 410 metric tons in 2008 and 3,000 metric tons in 2009 at fixed prices. The supply deal could be increased to 6,000 metric tons per year in the years 2010 to 2013, the company said.
“This contract represents a giant step for our solar-grade silicon business. Q-Cells is a leader in the photovoltaic industry and their endorsement of our material through this supply agreement is further evidence of the paradigm shift we are creating in the solar-grade silicon market,” said Mr. Rene Boisvert, President and CEO of BSI.
“BSI has developed a proprietary process which enables it to produce solar-grade silicon by purifying metallurgical silicon. Q-Cells has tested unblended material from BSI extensively and has obtained very good results in cell production,” said Mr. Anton Milner, CEO of Q-Cells.
BSI is currently ramping its first facility in Canada and is planning a capacity of 14,400 metric tons per year in 2009.