(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Marking a major breakthrough in the region's solar industry, Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has successfully produced its first polysilicon at its 8,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) manufacturing facility in Qatar.
QSTec, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's largest polysilicon manufacturer, with a plan to expand to over 50,000 MTPA, successfully commenced operations at its Ras Laffan Industrial City site.
'The first polysilicon produced from our facility in Qatar represents a major milestone for QSTec and has paved the way for a solar manufacturing base to be established within the region said QSTec's Chairman and CEO, Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri.
'We are now moving from the construction phase towards full scale production and it's an incredibly exciting time for QSTec and the region's solar industry, he added.
Today, polysilicon is the key raw material used in 90% of the world's solar modules. To this end, QSTec has made several strategic investments spanning the entire solar value chain, including the largest integrated solar module manufacturer in Europe and the United States of America, SolarWorld AG, as well as the world's leading solar and semi-conductor technology company, Centrotherm AG.
As a result, QSTec has emerged as a globally integrated solar company, and together, these companies have formed a solar consortium of excellence with an aim to achieve greater efficiencies right across the solar industry.
QSTec's new state-of-the-art facility includes a wide range of environment- friendly technologies, next generation reactors, energy efficient cooling systems and advanced waste treatment facilities that recycle excess gases and water for reuse in a closed loop system that reduces costs.
In addition to this, QSTec's new facility has a 1.1 megawatt solar installation that includes a ground mounted solar farm as well as rooftop and solar car parking shades and is a showcase of sustainability.
'QSTec has strategic investments across the solar value chain and a network of global partners that we can leverage for further growth said Dr Al Hajri. 'We have brought together high quality technologies, advanced R & D and expertise from polysilicon to manufacturing technologies, right through to integrated module production and the construction and development of large scale turn-key solar installations. The MENA region's solar industry is forecast for high growth and QSTec is well positioned to meet this demand. QSTec is a joint venture formed between Qatar Solar (a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development), SolarWorld AG and Qatar Development Bank, that is built on a philosophy of quality, operational excellence and commercial integrity.
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