Germany-based PV module maker Aleo Solar AG is as competitive as China-based makers in terms of production cost in the Europe, Japan and US markets, MK Lu, chairman for Taiwan-based solar wafer supplier Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS), has claimed.
SAS's solar cell subsidiary Sunrise Global Solar Energy has established a Germany-based joint venture, SCP Solar GmbH, with Japan-based Choshu Industry and Hong Kong-based Pan Asia Solar specifically for acquiring Aleo Solar's assets including a 280MWp PV module plant in Prenzlau, Germany, as well as its patents and Aleo trademark, Lu indicated.
Aleo offers competitive pricing particularly in Europe, as China-based PV module makers' exports to the Europe market are subject to a floor price set at EUR0.57 (US$0.78)/W and an annual export quota of 7GWp, Lu noted, adding the cost of acquiring Aleo is low and Aleo's modules use solar cells from Sunrise Global.
Aleo has 730 employees and SCP Solar will employ 200 of them after the acquisition, with the arrangements for the remaining to be handled by Germany-based Robert Bosch GmbH, which currently holds a 90.7% stake in Aleo.