Solar Cells Info

Staff Reporter
Source: The Hindu /March 23, 2007
http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/23/stories/2007032304480400.htm

# Cell-manufacturing capacity has increased to 52 MW a year
# 128-MW capacity unit to be set up in this financial year

Bangalore: With the inauguration of a 36-MW solar photovoltaic production line, the cell manufacturing capacity of Tata BP Solar has increased to 52 MW a year.  Speaking to presspersons after the inauguration here on Wednesday, K. Subramanya, chief executive officer, Tata BP Solar, said the inauguration of the production line was a step towards realising the designed potential of setting up a 300-MW plant. “We plan to add a cell-manufacturing unit of 128-MW capacity in this financial year,” he said.

The 36-MW production line was set up at a cost of $20 million. The investment over the past 15 years was around $25 million, said D. Guru, chief financial officer, Tata BP Solar. Tata Solar and BP Solar would also be investing $100 million to create a mega solar plant in Bangalore to meet the demands of the Indian and global solar photovoltaic markets, he said.

Lee Edwards, chief executive officer, BP Solar, said a lot of research and development work was going on to ensure that high quality products and services were delivered to both the urban and rural markets. State-of-the-art technology, developed by BP Solar and manufactured by Tata BP Solar, would deliver products and solutions that served both the Indian and global markets, earning substantial foreign exchange for India while also increasing product supply locally.

A solar lantern and a uniquely designed solar water heater were launched on the occasion. The solar water heater has high quality tubes made of borosilicate glass coated with layers of copper, stainless steel and aluminium nitride, which helps reduce heat loss. The solar lantern is lightweight and works for three hours when fully charged.

Syamal Gupta, chairman, Tata BP Solar, and Prasad Menon, managing director, Tata BP Solar, were present.