The Dresden-based solar start-up "Sunmaxx" has begun construction of a highly automated module production facility in Ottendorf-Okrilla near Dresden. The production facility in the Bautzen district, with a capacity of 50 megawatts per year, will be the largest PVT production facility in the world, the company told Deutsche Presse-Agentur on Thursday. The plant will be built on an existing manufacturing site with 4000 square meters of production area.
PVT modules are a combination of photovoltaic and solar thermal modules. "Sunmaxx" says PVT technology combines thermal management know-how from the automotive sector with established solar technology. The company says its technology has given it a several-year development lead over its Asian competitors.
"It makes little sense to compete with Asian rivals on existing technologies, as the development and scale advantage is far too great," company CEO Wilhelm Stein said. Europe's opportunity, he said, lies in innovation and rapid scaling of next-generation technologies.
