The first solar-cell production line by Micro-sol International Co in the Fujairah Free Zone was opened by Shaikh Saif Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi, chairman of the Free Zone Authority.
The plant covers an area of 30,000 square feet.
The company has an installed capacity to manufacture 2.5 million solar cells of various sizes. The facility was built at a cost of $3 million.
"It is a privilege for the Fujairah Free Zone to have such a significant industrial business and other similar major facilities thanks to the support and interest of the Fujairah Government to attract more investors to set up a wide range of businesses whose total value exceeds Dh900 million as of the beginning of this year," Shaikh Saif said.
The plant is divided into several sections to handle manufacturing stages wet and chemical processing, diffusion, silicon nitride coating, screen printing and solar-cell testers.
The product runs through various stages of laser cutting, drawing wafer, wafer preparation, diffusion furnace, printing and firing line and cell testing.
The company has $10 million in orders for exports to Germany and China.
"Given the demand and supply position of solar cells and robust orders in the pipeline, the company plans to increase the installed capacity of this facility from the present level of 2.5 million solar cells per year to six million by the first quarter of 2005," an investor said.
Solon PV GmbH, the solar photo-voltaic module manufacturers, announced a three-year cooperation agreement with Microsol to supply various grades of solar cells.
