Solon getting more cells from ersol

Berlin-based Solon today announced an 11-year supply agreement with ersol Solar Energy, headquartered in Erfurt in eastern Germany.

The contract calls for ersol to deliver $1.4 billion worth of monocrystalline silicon solar cells to Solon beginning in 2009.

Solon plans to use the cells in its large Solon Mover photovoltaic power plants.

The Solon Mover system is a turn-key solar tracking system.

"We are very pleased to have again earned the trust of our longstanding key customer Solon," said Claus Beneking, ersol CEO.

Solon already has two multi-year deals with ersol signed in September 2005 and August 2006, with a combined value of $915.2 million.

Solon said this latest agreement brings the value of its contractually secured supplies of solar cells from well-established manufacturers over the coming years to approximately $4.1 billion.

Solon's modules are used mostly on commercial buildings, with nearly three-quarters of the German government's newer buildings using the company's systems.

Founded in 1997, the company acquired U.S. energy firm Global Solar Energy in March 2006 and took a stake in Austria's Blue Chip Energy that May.

Ersol, also started in 1997, produces monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Its subsidiary ASi Industries, acquired in 2005, makes monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers used to manufacture solar cells.

The company also sells PV modules, inverters, and other solar components through its aimex-solar unit, including products made by other manufacturers.

Germany's Ventizz Capital Partners owns more than half of ersol.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• Nine clean technology predictions for 2009
• Ag tech, fuel cells thrive in busy week for deals

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed