Enel Green Power, Sharp and STMicroelectronics have signed an agreement to open a factory for manufacturing triple-junction thin-film photovoltaic panels. The factory, located in Catania, Italy, is expected to have an initial production capacity of 160 MW per year.
The plant's capacity will be gradually increased to 480 MW per year over the following years. Manufacturing is expected to start at the beginning of 2011. This agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2008 by Enel Green Power and Sharp. STMicroelectronics has now joined the strategic partnership.
In addition, Enel Green Power and Sharp have signed an agreement to create a joint venture to develop solar farms. The companies' goal is to install a cumulative capacity of 500 MW by the end of 2016, making use of the photovoltaic panels manufactured at the Catania factory.
SOURCE: STMicroelectronics
