Solar Semiconductor inks contract with Q-Cells

HYDERABAD, INDIA: Solar Semiconductor, an international company with offices in Sunnyvale, CA, USA and Hyderabad, India, has signed a multi-year agreement with Q-Cells AG of Germany, for supply of approximately $170M of 156mm mono and multi-crystalline cells. These cells will be used for high quality module production in Solar Semiconductor's new highly automated solar PV module manufacturing plant in India.

Hari Surapaneni, CEO of Solar Semiconductor said: "Q-Cells is known for providing high quality solar cells and we are excited about being engaged in this strategic partnership. Reliable, consistent and high quality A-grade cell supply is of strategic importance for Solar Semiconductor to ensure our commitment to deliver high quality and high efficiency PV modules to our customers across the world.

With this business partnership with Q-Cells, we will be able to achieve our objectives and business goals. We have aggressive ramp up plans beyond 50MW for module production, immediately doubling at the beginning of year 2008 and rapidly expanding in the coming years. It is important to choose a partner whose vision and technology road map is consistent with ours."

Anton Milner, CEO of Q-Cells added: "We are delighted to have a business partner like Solar Semiconductor, whose expertise and presence in a key potential market like India and other international markets will be important for Q-Cells to further expand our position in new and growing international markets.

Q-Cells AG is the world's largest independent producer of solar cells and the second largest overall. The company plans to produce 370MWp of mono- and polycrystalline cells in 2007. Q-Cells supplies independent module producers worldwide with high quality solar cells. With several subsidiary and associate companies Q-Cells also develops and commercializes different new thin-film technologies.