Indian solar PV technology for Canada

BANGALORE, INDIA: In a rare and remarkable first, Indian technology to make solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels is going to be utilized in a developed country.

Solar Source Corp (SSC), a Canadian renewable energy holding company announced a joint venture with Bangalore-based Hind High Vacuum Company Pvt. Ltd. (HHV) to build Canada’s first amorphous silicon solar panel manufacturing plant based on technology & equipment developed by HHV.

The facility, to be set up by SSC’s wholly owned subsidiary, Solar Source PEI, will be located in summer side, Prince Edward Island (PEI) near the eastern seaboard of Canada. The proposed annual capacity is 120 MW (megawatts), to be established in four phases, with Phase One slated to reach 30 MW of capacity. The plant will make panels for the building - integrated, ground-mount and commercial rooftop markets.

Besides the above thin film solar panel making facility, the JV MOU also includes a proposal to build in four phases - a 120 MW crystalline silicon solar panel manufacturing facility in Ontario, to take full advantage of the explosive Ontario renewable energy marketplace.

The total investment on the two projects will be around $240 million with the Canadian Government and its agencies providing initial support of $30 million.

Ross Beatty, President of SSC, stated: “Solar Source Corp is pleased to be associated with HHV for their initial panel manufacturing launch into the North America market. HHV has acquired significant expertise in thin-film solar panel production technology.”

Prasanth Sakhamuri, Managing Director of HHV, said: “HHV is producing world-class, solar panel manufacturing equipment which results in the most cost effective production of amorphous silicon thin-film panels, advanced solar photovoltaic (SPV) modules and solar technology-based solutions. Our SPV Modules will be compliant with IEC and UL standards for photovoltaic design and safety. We are excited to partner with Solar Source Corp of Canada, as the North American solar energy market is entering its initial phase of a very long term upward trend.”