SolarGlas AG, Munich, has selected a production site in Forst in Brandenburg, Germany, to build a specialized float-glass plant for the production of special low-iron solar glass. Proximity to a large German solar module producer, the commitment of the municipality and its mayor, and the strong conditions for grants in Brandendurg were determinants in the company's site selection.
The construction of this furnace facility, envisioned for a daily output of up to 500 tons (annual production of about 15 million to 18 million square meters), represents new territory for SolarGlas, the company says. It is the first time that a concept of a “dual-furnace” will be realized for the production of structured cast glass for conventional silica modules, as well as flat glass for thin film solar thermal modules.
An additional unique feature of the facility is that the furnaces will operate with an oxygen-gas mixture. This saves about 25% of the expensive natural gas costs while reducing emissions by about 50%.
Süddeutsche Leasing GmbH, a specialist in financing large industrial production lines, backs the project's funding. Financing for all upstream and downstream production steps will total more than 60 million euros, SolarGlas says.
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