Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, has been awarded the exclusive contract to supply high-purity gases to Italy's first thin-film solar module manufacturing plant. The Moncada Energy Group SRL, a private producer of renewable energy in Italy, is building the plant in Campofranco (Sicily).
Under this agreement, Linde Gas Italia will provide Moncada with turnkey installation of the plant's bulk and specialty gases supply systems. On an ongoing basis, it will also deliver nitrogen, hydrogen, silane and chamber-cleaning gases that are essential to making thin-film solar cells.
Linde says it was selected based on its proven supply capability and strong global market position in turnkey solutions for thin-film solar module manufacturing. Its established R&D program, which is focused on reducing production costs and delivering environmentally friendly solutions, was also key to the contract win.
Moncada's thin-film PV plant in Campofranco, which becomes fully operational in 2010, will produce large 5.7 m2 single-junction photovoltaic modules. The facility is expected to have an annual output capacity of 40 MW.
SOURCE: The Linde Group
