Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec), a leading solar company, said that it has produced its first polysilicon at its 8,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) manufacturing facility in Qatar.
 
QSTec, the largest polysilicon producer in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, which plans to expand to over 50,000 MTPA, has successfully commenced operations at its Ras Laffan Industrial City site, said a statement from the company.

The activation of QSTec’s plant represents a major step forward for the region’s solar industry, it said.
 
Dr Khalid K Al Hajri, chairman and CEO, QSTec, said: “The first polysilicon produced from our facility in Qatar represents a major milestone for our company and has paved the way for a solar manufacturing base to be established within the region.”

“This important achievement in the history of our company 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 team,” he said.

“We are now moving from the construction phase towards full scale production and it’s an incredibly exciting time for us and the region’s solar industry,” he added.
 
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, said a statement.

In addition to this, QSTec’s new facility has a 1.1 megawatt solar installation that includes a ground mounted solar farm as well as rooftop and solar car parking shades and is a showcase of sustainability, it said.
 
Dr Al Hajri added: “As a global solar company, we and our 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,” he said.
 
Today, polysilicon is the key raw material used in 90 per cent of the world’s solar modules. To this end, QSTec has made several strategic investments spanning the entire solar value chain, including the largest integrated solar module manufacturer in Europe and the US, SolarWorld, as well as the world’s leading solar and semi-conductor technology company, Centrotherm.

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” said Dr Al Hajri.  

“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 our company is well positioned to meet this demand,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service