50 GW of energy and a historic plan

China continues to make great strides in its strategy of diversification (which we have always advocated) and decarbonization. Now, however, it is Germany that has launched a mega-project that we could metaphorically describe as the Great Wall of Energy, with disproportionate power and an operation that shows us how we still know nothing about the potential of solar energy. We tell you what this project will be like, which company is developing it, and what all its impressive ins and outs are.

Germany has unveiled its most promising project: New energy to be developed this way

NexWafe, a German-based producer of solar wafers, is now setting significant ripples in the Photovoltaic industry thanks to their EpiNex technology as well as other aggressive business development strategies. Thus, the Great Wall of Photovoltaic Energy project addresses the company’s strategic objectives and serves as a potential solution to major issues within the PHV value chain.

The basis of NexWafe’s strategy lies in applying the EpiNex technology, which can be described as a novel concept based on the fabrication of silicon wafers. This direct “gas-to-wafer” manufacturing process offers several advantages over traditional wafer production methods:

• Simplified Production: In modifying the high-temperature process that occurs in polysilicon production, the EpiNex process cuts out several steps in the production line.
• Reduced Energy Consumption: NexWafe has developed a more efficient way of fabricating wafers that uses much less energy than the previous method and thus contributes to bringing into the market a more sustainable solution.
• Shorter Production Time: This means that the rate at which the wafers are produced is enhanced, hence an overall capacity might be achieved.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: NexWafe says that its process can reduce the carbon footprint by about 60 percent compared to existing technologies.

The Great Wall of Energy is now a reality: Germany is clear about the future of photovoltaics

NexWafe has announced ambitious plans for expansion (that’s what we are talking about “the smashing of the Great Wall of China“):

• NexWafe is at this moment working on the manufacturing plant to be situated in Germany, with production output that is expected to be 250 MW yearly.
• US Expansion: The company is currently considering the development of the initial capability for the production of 6 GW of solar wafers in the USA.
• Future Potential: NexWafe’s technology can be scaled very easily, which might help in the construction of the Solar supply chain in the USA for at least 50 GW per year.

NexWafe has plans for the future: Beyond the “Great Wall of Energy”

The NexWafe Great Wall of Photovoltaic Energy will leverage the company’s EpiNex technology to create a more efficient and sustainable solar wafer production process:

• Gas-to-Wafer Process: Rather than depositing silicon layers and then subjecting them to melting and re-solidification, the NexWafe systems adopt the technique of wafer epitaxy that forms monocrystalline silicon wafers from trichlorosilane gas.
• Reduced Material Waste: This approach also eliminates the need for forming ingots and sawing and thus minimizes the required amount of silicon needed, as well as optimizing material use.
• Thinner Wafers: Additionally, through the EpiNex process, the liberalization of wafers can be done, resulting in thin wafers that may be beneficial for the enhancement of cells efficiency and the reduction of material costs as well.
• Integration with Existing Infrastructure: NexWafe’s wafers are easy to integrate with current cell and module production, thus making its integration into the industry easy.

This new project, which we have dubbed the NexWafe solar energy Great Wall, will demonstrate how the future is much greener than we imagine. Between self-consumption, skyrocketing in states like California, and mega-projects like this one, we may be closer than ever to ‘bursting’ renewable energy and eliminating our carbon footprint. We have the year 2030 in our sights, but also many experts who are skeptical and to whom, as always, we try to give some voice (although our opinion is rather more optimistic).