Greetings solar advocates! If you’ve been keeping tabs on solar news or researching various solar companies, you’ve probably come across a company named Nexwafe. This German-based embodiment of solar innovation has been making waves in the industry with their state-of-the-art solar wafer technology. Nexwafe is now spreading its wings, and this here to explain the potential impact it could have on the solar landscape here in the United States.
Over in Bitterfeld, Germany, Nexwafe is underway constructing a massive 250 MW solar factory. But the Atlantic Ocean doesn’t seem to be an obstacle for them. They recently announced their establishment of a U.S. subsidiary, aimed at assessing the potential for solar wafer manufacturing right here on American soil. Think multi-gigawatt-scale production volumes, with a starting goal of a neat 6 GW. This is no small feat, and showcases the ambition pulsating through the world of solar.
Choosing the right location for manufacturing is a vital step in this extensive plan. Nexwafe is currently weighing in different regions, considering factors such as incentives, and looking to form key partnerships to ensure a smooth sail when it comes to bringing solar panels for your home. One of their strategies is to work towards wafer offtake agreements within the U.S.
To helm this promising endeavor, Nexwafe has deployed Jonathan Pickering to take charge as the VP of business development in North America. Bringing valuable experience from his time at JA Solar Americas and Applied Materials, Pickering is certainly a seasoned industry veteran.
It’s clear that a wave of transformation is headed our way, propelled by top-tier solar companies striving to bring advanced PV cell and module manufacturing to the U.S. at a multi-gigawatt scale. Pickering flagged an important point, though: The significant bottleneck in the supply chain for a domestic source of silicon wafers. This is where Nexwafe is eager to fill in the gaps, with their intent to offer made-in-the-USA, thin silicon wafers.
And let’s delve into what makes Nexwafe’s wafers special. They are working on commercializing kerfless wafers. These wafers make use of a cutting-edge gas-to-wafer manufacturing process to achieve incredible efficiency. The process produces ultra-thin wafers, leading to less waste and, impressively, slashing the carbon footprint by a whopping 60% compared to conventional processes.
Nexwafe is setting forth the narrative of the solar industry’s progress, using technology that’s sharply focused on efficiency and sustainability. For those who are considering a solar array for home, this development is a gigantic leap towards robust, home-grown solutions.
Stay tuned to keep track of Nexwafe’s game-changing venture, and explore how solar can be your sustainable solution for a brighter, greener future!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/26/germanys-nexwafe-mulling-u-s-wafer-factory/
