A 60 million euro thin film solar cell factory
It should come into operation this year, perhaps already after the summer, qualifying as the largest European thin film solar cell factory. Let’s talk about the new photovoltaic production plant that Midsummer is completing in the metropolitan city of Bari. More precisely in the industrial area of Modugno.
In 2021 the Swedish company signed the Development Agreement with the then Ministry of Economic Development (now Ministry of Enterprises), the Puglia Region and Invitalia. And these days he announced that he had received the second funding provided by the agreement and paid by the National Agency, starting to hire workers.
For the Region and Italy as a whole, it is a fundamental investment. Above all they consider the national and European attempts to bring back internally, or consolidate, the industrial production linked to the energy transition. “Of course it’s rewarding to receive these funds and to be able to confirm that the collaboration with Invitalia is working as it should,” says Eric Jaremalm, CEO of Midsummer.
“The Bari plant makes us a leader in thin film solar cells in Europe with the ability to supply solar cells mainly to the numerous industrial roofs throughout Europe that can not withstand the weight of silicon panels. It is the segment that we identified as most interesting for Midsummer and a gigantic market estimated at 25 GW (20-30 billion euros) per year”.
The thin film photovoltaic of Midsummer
The photovoltaic technology of Midsummer is based on thin film solar cells based on CIGS, ie (di) selenide copper indium gallium. Since this semiconductor material has a high power of light absorption, a very thin layer is enough compared to silicon. The result is flexible and lightweight photovoltaic panels that integrate discreetly on different types of roofing material. For example, a 358 mm by 4025 mm module, composed of 48 cells, weighs only 4 kg and can reach a peak power of 165 W.
Europe’s largest CIGS solar cell factory
The factory of thin film solar cells was built in an industrial hall of about 3,880 square meters, within a lot that lends itself to subsequent expansion. The project involved the purchase of a MIDS-IT production line consisting of 10 “DUO” machines for a total power of 50 MW. Of course, the plant’s medium-voltage power supply network has also been adapted to a capacity of 5 MW.
Alongside the industrial initiative, another research and experimental development aimed at the implementation of technological innovations of products and processes for the realization of solar cells CIGS. In particular – says the agreement – “the ultimate goal is the realization of new grid-less design to improve the aesthetic factor, the development and implementation of nanomaterials to ensure an adequate moisture barrier effect in solar cells. And the increase in the quantity of internal production efficiency respecting the qualitative parameters and increasing the performance of efficiency and durability of the products“.
Throughout the project, the company predicted an employment impact of 200 employees, technicians and workers and an investment of 60 million euros (excluding the site). Of this, some 38 million should be covered by facilities in the form of grants and soft loans.