Elkem Solar
Elkem Solar produces solar grade silicon - Elkem Solar Silicon® - with much less energy consumption and CO2-emissions.
The most important component in solar cells is highly purified silicon. 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.
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.
Read more about the inauguration 21 August 2009
Read more about Elkem Solar on Orkla Investor Day 17 June 2009
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
Helge Aasen
Senior Vice President, Elkem Solar
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Last modified: 2010-01-28