Low cost solar grade silicon
Elkem Solar produce high quality solar grade silicon at a lower cost, and with much less energy consumption and CO2-emissions.
The Elkem Solar plant
The most important component in solar cells is highly purified silicon. Limited access to high quality silicon has so far constrained the growth of the solar cell industry. Elkem Solar's technology contributes to making solar energy competitive with conventional energy sources by reducing costs and emissions without reducing the quality of the end product.
Development and performance
Elkem Solar's technology for making solar grade silicon, is tested and verified, and the company is now industrialising its proprietary solar grade silicon production line on Elkem's site at Fiskaa in Kristiansand, Norway. Elkem Solar will deliver industrial solar grade silicon to contracted customers in the first quarter of 2009.
The first plant at Fiskaa will have a capacity of 6,000 tons of solar grade silicon after ramp-up. Elkem Solar's first plant has cost about $600 million to build making it one of Norway's largest industrial investments on the mainland.
Focusing on R&D
Elkem Solar will continue its strong focus on research and development. Several product and process improvements are already identified, which will contribute to even lower production costs for solar cell energy. Industrialisation of metallurgical processes has been one of Elkem's core knowledge areas for many decades.
Advantages of Elkem Solar Silicon:
- Less energy consumption when producing solar grade silicon
- Lower CO2-emissions when producing solar grade silicon
- Reduced Energy Pay-back Time (EPBT) for installed solar modules
- Lower production costs for solar grade silicon
- Potential for lower investment costs for solar grade silicon production plants
Visit the Elkem Solar web site
Established in 2001
Fully owned subsidiary of Elkem AS, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orkla ASA, one of Norway’s largest companies.
Located in Kristiansand, Norway
Employs approximately 270 people (as per February 2009)
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