Signet Solar to make thin-film modules in India

To the delight of Indian officials, Signet Solar of Palo Alto, California has announced plans to make thin-film solar modules in India, predicting it could invest up to $2 billion USD in the country.

Signet is designing, developing and making large area, low cost, thin-film silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Its first modules are intended to be 1.3m x 2.2m (180W), and 1.3m x 1.1m (90W).

Signet's first production line in India is to have a capacity of 60 megawatts, expanding to 1 gigawatt in annual production over the next ten years.

"The announcement by Signet Solar to expand its production capacity will significantly contribute to our plans to accelerate semiconductor and information technology (IT) hardware manufacturing in India," said Thiru. A. Raja, India’s Union Minister of Information Technology.

"Combined with our highly skilled workforce, India has an opportunity to be a leader in using technology to address pressing global energy needs."

In India, the Ministry of Renewable Energy has set a target to produce 10 percent of the country’s power requirements through renewable energy sources by 2012.

"Signet Solar’s plans to establish manufacturing operations in India are very timely," said Shri Vilas Muttemwar, India’s Minister of New and Renewable Energy. "Our electric power demands will continue to increase as India’s economic growth accelerates."

Company CEO and President Rajeeva Lahri told reporters in New Delhi today that the company is prepared to spend money.

"We will invest $2 billion USD over a period of 10 years and produce over one gigawatt of annual output for export and the Indian market," Lahri said, according to Asia Today.

Signet Solar's customers are to include PV system integrators and installers of solar farms for power generation. The large glass substrates and relatively lower cost of thin film modules are ideal for large scale PV system installations, building-integrated photovoltaics and remote habitation, the company said.

Signet has announced additional manufacturing and development operations in Dresden, Germany. The company was established in 2006.