Marking a major step forward for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’s solar industry, Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has produced its first polysilicon, the key raw material used in 90% of the world’s solar modules.
QSTec, the largest polysilicon producer in the Mena region with a plan to expand to over 50,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) from the current 8,000 MTPA, successfully began operations at its manufacturing facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, it was announced yesterday.
QSTec’s new facility also has a 1.1 megawatt solar installation that includes a ground mounted solar farm with over 4,000 solar modules, as well as rooftop and solar car parking shades and is a showcase of sustainability.
“The first polysilicon produced from our facility in Qatar represents a major milestone for QSTec and has paved the way for a solar manufacturing base to be established within the region,” said QSTec chairman and CEO Dr Khalid Klefeekh al-Hajri.
“This important achievement in the history of QSTec has been made possible by the continued support of all our shareholders, stakeholders, and the dedication and commitment to the success of the project from our QSTec team.”
The new facility is state-of-the-art, including a wide range of environmentally-friendly technologies, next generation reactors, energy efficient cooling systems, and advanced waste treatment facilities that recycle excess gasses and water for reuse in a closed loop system that reduces costs.
“As a global solar company, QSTec, and its shareholders, have a strong commitment to sustainability, environmental protection, and to reducing greenhouse gasses, and we have incorporated this into our polysilicon plant. We all need to play a role in protecting our environment and we want to lead by example,” Dr al-Hajri said.
To this end, QSTec has made several strategic investments spanning the entire solar value chain, including being the largest private equity holder in the largest integrated solar module manufacturer in Europe and the US, SolarWorld AG, as well as having a 45% stake in the world’s leading solar and semi-conductor technology company, Centrotherm AG.
As a result, QSTec has emerged as a globally-integrated solar company, and together, these companies have formed a solar consortium of excellence with an aim to achieve greater efficiencies right across the solar industry.
“QSTec has strategic investments across the solar value chain and a network of global partners that we can leverage for further growth. We have brought together high-quality technologies, advanced R&D, and expertise from polysilicon to manufacturing technologies, right through to integrated module production and the construction and development of large scale turn-key solar installations. The Mena region’s solar industry is forecast for high growth and QSTec is well positioned to meet this demand,” he said.
QSTec has delivered a Phase 1 plant that can produce over 8,000 MTPA polysilicon, which will be converted into 1.3GW of solar technologies.
The facility is located on 1.2mn sq m of land that will enable future onsite expansion to more than 50,000 MTPA of polysilicon and integration across the whole solar value chain.
