The center combines Boschs photovoltaic research and development departments, cell and module production and training center. The new center cost 530 million and construction took two years. The company claims 1,000 jobs will be created at the new facility by 2012.
Late last month, Bosch announced that it will invest 520 million in a 640 MW photovoltaic manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia. A facility in Vennissieux, France, is scheduled to begin operations in early 2012. Bosch forecasts that its photovoltaics division will generate sales of one billion euros in 2011.
Bosch has also incorporated photovoltaics into the new Arnstadt center with 620 slats featuring thin film modules attached to the buildings façade, both generating power and providing shade.
The slats, which are over four meters high and half a meter wide, are hoped to generate one megawatt (MW) of electricity. Built-in photovoltaic (BIPV) features at the new facility include a hallway ceiling made from semi-transparent cells. Overall these photovoltaic installations are sufficient to power the headquarters building.
The research center will house 120 associates, developing new products and readying them for series production. The training center will skill 150 engineers in mechatronics, manufacturing and processes. The first class is scheduled to start in September this year.
"From now on, the Arnstadt location will assume the function of a competence center. It is from there that Bosch will plan and manage its global photovoltaics activities," said Franz Fehrenbach, the chairman of the Bosch board of management, in statement announcing the centers inauguration.
The Arnstadt site was previously a Solar Energy AG cell production facility. Bosch acquired the Erfurt-based company in 2008.
Popular content
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
Share
Jonathan Gifford
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.