Hydro’s Engagement in Energy Solutions of the Future

Hydro has invested NOK 147 million in shares in Ascent Solar, increasing its stake in the American solar energy cell manufacturer from 22 to 34.8 percent. The transaction is part of Hydro's engagement in energy solutions of the future.

SUN CATCHERS: 'Brise soleil' panels with integrated solar cells are one of the products stemming from the cooperation between Ascent Solar and Hydro Building Systems.

“Ascent Solar is an exciting company, which is developing super-thin, flexible solar energy cells. This is the solar energy system of tomorrow and a good fit with Hydro's energy-efficient building systems, for which solar cells will be an important element,” says Jørgen C. Arentz Rostrup, senior vice president of Hydro's Energy business area.

Hydro first invested in Ascent Solar in March 2007, and has had the possibility of increasing its ownership stake to 35 percent. Hydro has now exercised this option. The current share purchase totals USD 28.5 million, at USD 9.30 per share. The price is based on an average closing price the last five days before the purchase. This brings Hydro's total investment in Ascent Solar to nearly USD 50 million.

“We believe there will be continued growth in the solar energy industry, and that the time was right for increasing our stake in Ascent Solar,” says Rostrup. He adds that solar energy fits in well with Hydro's expertise in materials, building systems and energy.

Facades with solar cells

Hydro manufactures energy-efficient facade systems of aluminium through the brands Technal, Wicona and Domal in France, Germany and Italy, respectively, and is a major supplier of aluminium-based building systems throughout Europe. Hydro is working with Ascent Solar to develop solutions integrating solar cells in facades.

“There are great opportunities for reducing energy use in buildings, which accounts for 30 to 40 percent of Europe's total energy consumption. We want to contribute to developing energy-efficient buildings of the future, which will be able to produce as much energy, or more, than they consume,” says Rostrup.

Ascent Solar produces thin-film solar cells through a process in which the metals copper, indium, gallium and selenide (CIGS) are sandwiched in a flexible protective material. The result is a solar cell module that can be shaped in many ways. This makes Ascent Solar's solutions very adaptable to use in buildings.

Pilot plant

Ascent Solar is based in Denver, Colorado, where the company has built a pilot plant for manufacturing extremely thin solar cell modules. Test production from the pilot plant is to begin shortly. The next step is building a 30 MW production line, which is to be completed in 2009. Production start is planned for 2010.

In contrast to today's solar cells, which must go through a number of production steps – often at different production sites – production of Ascent Solar's solar cell modules takes place in a continuous, so-called roll-to-roll process. This, combined with the fact that the concept uses little material, helps lower production costs.

Silisium wafers

Hydro also has an 18 percent ownership stake in the solar energy company Norsun, most recently investing NOK 250 million in the company.

Norsun is now building a plant to produce monocrystalline silisium wafers for use in making solar cells in Årdal, Norway. The first phase of the building is now finished, and test production from this part of the plant has begun.

Norsun has also decided to build a new plant for producing silisium wafers in Singapore, and has entered into an agreement for the production of silisium in Saudi Arabia.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.