A contract from Alpex Exports Pvt. Ltd. for a photovoltaic module assembly line for operations in New Delhi, India, has been awarded to Spire Corporation. This will be the company's first solar energy facility and will support its growth into both the standard module, and Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) markets, says Alpex.
Under the terms of the contract Spire will provide Alpex with a semi-automated crystalline cell module manufacturing line capable of producing up to 15 megawatts (MW) of solar modules per year. Spire will supply the process technology and training to operate the factory, as well as assistance in qualifying the factory and its modules to international standards and certification. The line is designed to be expandable at a later date and will integrate Spire's key assembly, lamination and testing machines, along with intermediate tooling stations.
“An important reason we selected Spire was their turnkey approach to deliver a factory along with the requisite training and certification. The solar market is expected to more than triple in size by 2010. With our new module facility, we will be able to effectively compete in both the domestic and export markets,” said R.P.S. Sarna, Vice President of Alpex Exports.