4 Mar 2010 07:00
Pure Wafer plc
("Pure Wafer" or the "Company")
New Product launch
Swansea based Pure Wafer plc, the provider of high quality silicon wafer reclaim services for many of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers, is pleased to announce that it has completed the development of a new manufacturing process to convert the scrap material from its silicon wafer reclaim line into high efficiency single crystal photovoltaic cells (solar cells). The process has been developed in conjunction with Swansea University and with the assistance of Smart Grant funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. As this process utilises scrap silicon, the Directors believe that this is the lowest carbon method of producing high efficiency photovoltaic cells.
In order to expedite the move to mass production of its solar offerings, Pure Wafer is prudently investing an initial amount in equipment to manufacture solar panels from its own solar cells thus providing a wholly UK manufactured product.
These products will enable Pure Wafer to offer complete solar systems and solutions to its customers, ranging from single dwellings to large public and commercial buildings.
Pure Wafer has started to receive initial orders for its new products and services, and the level of interest and enquiries are encouraging. The Pure Wafer board is excited about the prospects of this move into the renewable energy market, through its solar offerings and the development of associated products, whilst maintaining its focus on the core business of wafer reclaim services to the world's major semiconductor manufacturers.
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Pure Wafer Peter Harrington/Stephen Boyd |
Tel: +44 (0)1792 311200 |
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Background information on the solar market
Climate change and the limited supply of fossil fuels have demanded urgent action to generate renewable energy. The photovoltaic market is expected to grow rapidly in the next 20 years with the worldwide solar market already exceeding $30 billion with over 60% of that expended in Europe (Source: Crosslink Capital). The UK market grew by 25% last year and the Renewable Advisory Board are predicting that it will reach £1 billion per annum by 2016 aided by government initiatives, including the feed-in tariff which is set for introduction in April 2010.