HyCore’s first step will be to construct a pilot plant at Hydro’s industrial park at Heroya in Porsgrunn. The pilot plant, which will be completed in 2008, will have an annual capacity of around 20 tonnes of solar-grade silicon. A budget of E26 million is foreseen for this phase.
Hydro said that, provided that this pilot program proves successful, the companies intend to construct a larger facility, also in Heroya, with the capacity to produce industrial-scale volumes by 2010.
HyCore will use proprietary technology that Hydro and Umicore have developed for the conversion of metallurgical silicon to solar-grade silicon. The chosen technology approach is significantly more energy-efficient compared to the traditional processes and allows for a closed-loop approach whereby all major process consumables are reused, Hydro said.
Umicore and Hydro started their joint technical development co-operation approximately 15 months ago. The two companies will own 51% and 49% of HyCore, respectively.
This joint venture is Hydro’s third initiative within solar energy since November 2006, when it invested in solar energy company Norsun. Hydro has also invested in US-based Ascent Solar, which is developing flexible, thin-film solar modules.
