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The Week in Germany: Focus on Saxony
	With the reopening of the baroque treasure trove the Grünes Gewölbe and Dresden's 800 year celebrations, Saxony's past has received a great deal of attention this summer. In our second Saxony special, we focus on modern Saxony: contemporary art by painters from Dresden and Leipzig in Washington, robust and growing trade between businesses in Saxony and the U.S., and more positive developments in Saxony's alternative energy sector.

September 22, 2006

Solar World Receives Contract for Silicon Wafers from China

The German firm Solar World, the third largest producer of Solar energy technology in the world, has received a large contract from China for silicon wafers. Its subsidiary, Deutsche Solar AG in Freiberg, Saxony, will produce € 350 million ($ 444 million) worth of silicon wafers for China until 2018.

According to Solarworld, the China deal is one of its biggest export orders to date. CEO Frank Asbeck explained that China is one of the fastest growing markets for photovoltaic technology, which is promising for the recently established production site in Saxony. “At the same time, our long term export business is helping to secure jobs in Germany,” said Asbeck as reported by dpa.

The silicon wafers are an important component of photovoltaic cells, which turn the sun’s energy into electricity. In addition to processing raw materials like silicon for other solar power technology providers, Solar world produces complete solar energy systems.

The Italian solar electricity provider Tecnospot also placed an order for over € 10 million worth of solar energy systems. Asbeck declared, “Along with Spain and the US, we are growing Italy into one of our core export markets.”

Links:

Dresden Hosts European Solar Energy Conference (from TWIG)

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