Saint-Gobain expands solar activities

COURBEVOIE, FRANCE: As part of its development strategy for solar energy, French corporation Saint-Gobain is acquiring Shell's share of Avancis, a joint venture between the two companies.

Avancis has developed technology for thin-film CIS (Copper, Indium and Selenide) to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules. With an annual capacity of 20 MW, the company's first plant is already operating in Torgau, Germany. The technology necessitates expertise in glass coating and glass thermal treatment, two processes in the portfolio of Saint-Gobain, which produces flat glass for the building and automotive industries.

Saint-Gobain intends to accelerate the industrial development of Avancis.
 

Saint-Gobain provides a range of products and services in solar energy via Saint-Gobain Solar, its new entity which groups together all of Saint-Gobain's solar businesses. Saint-Gobain Solar's strategy hinges on three independent activities, including the making and selling of high-tech components for PV modules and high-performance mirrors for solar thermal plant operators the production by Avancis of thin-film PV modules using CIS technology and the design and marketing of PV solutions for residential homes, offices, industrial installations and farm buildings.