Solar Systems are launching a new solar cell and PV module manufacturing unit in Russia to meet the budding demand for solar panels in the Russian Federation.
Co-operating since 2012, SCHMID Group from Germany and Pekintas Group from Turkey will act as the general contractor, offering their collaboration for establishing manufacturing lines, building and facilities.
The plant coming up in SEZ (special economic zone) of Alabuga will be commissioned in two phases.
The project scheduled to begin in Q2, 2016 will have an annual production capacity of 200 MWp.
Russian government has introduced tender system to promote renewable energy development in the country.
The basis for the investment is a governmental subsidy program for renewable energy in Russia that came into effect in 2013.
Photo courtesy : solarnovus
The government approved Capacity Supply Agreements (CSA) program and the right to submit the CSA is operated every year through special auction.
After winning the present project, Solar Systems aim to participate in approaching tenders to be held in 2015- 2016, expanding the solar module market in Russia in addition to plans for exporting the modules.
Moreover, the company also plans to commission 175 MW of solar parks by 2016–2018.
Christian Schmid, President and CEO at the SCHMID Group, considers this agreement as another milestone for SCHMID in maintaining its position as a major turnkey supplier of manufacturing solutions in PV markets.
According to a report released by IB Center in the beginning of 2014, the expansion of solar energy in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will experience an extraordinary growth in near future.
So far, Hydroelectric energy is the major renewable energy source in Russia and the country is the fifth largest producer of renewable energy in the world, but in 56th position when hydroelectric energy is not considered.
Around 16 percent of Russia’s electricity is generated from hydropower, and less than 1 percent is generated from all other renewable energy sources combined.
Sabeena Wahid
[email protected]