April 20, 2015: Within the framework of the Make in India initiative, solar company Vikram Solar has begun three new collaborations with leading international research institutes and technology companies from Germany and Switzerland. The partnerships are intended to further optimise the module production technology at Vikram, make preparations for cell manufacturing at the company, and establish a solar academy in India. Memorandums of understanding were signed to this effect with Fraunhofer ISE and the companies Meyer Burger and Centrotherm photovoltaics at the world’s largest industrial trade show, Hannover Messe.
Fraunhofer ISE in Germany is the biggest solar research institute in Europe, and will assist Vikram Solar with the research and development of industrial scale crystalline silicon solar cell and module processing. The aim is to help Vikram to rapidly expand its manufacturing capability and emerge as one of the largest integrated players in the solar industry.
In addition, Fraunhofer and Vikram Solar are set to collaborate on establishing a solar academy in India, which will serve to impart technical knowledge, expertise, and practical training in solar energy systems. Fraunhofer will deploy technicians and experts to provide knowledge and training to the aspiring individuals of the solar academy.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Meyer Burger is a leading global technology group delivering systems, production equipment and fully integrated system solutions and services along the entire photovoltaic value chain. Vikram Solar already uses Meyer Burger production equipment. In order to further strengthen this relationship, Vikram Solar and Meyer Berger signed an MoU for the provision of selected solar cell and module manufacturing equipment and for collaboration on process improvements in solar cell and module manufacturing, as well as research & development for materials, processes, and device technologies.
Centrotherm AG is a world-class manufacturer of cell production equipment and provides solutions for different levels of expertise across the crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing value creation chain, specifically for processes, technology, systems, and applications. Within the scope of their partnership, Vikram Solar and Centrotherm have agreed to collaborate by using Centrotherm’s production equipment and manufacturing expertise to improve cell efficiency and productivity.
Vikram Solar
Tier 1 module manufacturer Vikram Solar is headquartered in Kolkata, India, with subsidiaries in North America, Europe, Japanand Africa. The company is part of the 40-year old Vikram Group. Since 2009, Vikram Solar has been manufacturing monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules with outputs ranging from 5 Wp to 315 Wp at its production facilities in the Falta Special Economic Zone in West Bengal. The company also offers a comprehensive selection of services, from project development to installing and maintaining solar power plants.
