Executive Director of Activ Solar Johann Harter of the ... When a recorded interview in Kiev, the rain poured, and the sky a few days delayed the dense clouds. Nevertheless, the executive director of the Austrian company Activ Solar Johann Harter believes that it had begun production of solar electricity will be successful. The Austrians built the first solar power station in Ukraine, but their plans are much broader - to create a complete vertically integrated company for the production of electricity using solar radiation from getting to the polysilicon construction and operation of power plants. Activ Solar in less than two years of its existence, has had time to invest in various projects in the territory of Ukraine 350 million. euro, and as we are assured in the company - it is just the beginning.
Who owns the Activ Solar?. The company was founded in Vienna three years ago by a group of Austrian private investors.
Brothers Klyuyev are your shareholders?. As I said, our shareholders are the Austrian institutional and private investors. In most of the Austrian. Ukrainian private investors or companies associated with the Ukraine, among the pool of shareholders Activ Solar is not. None of the owners of the company has a controlling stake.
Do you have assets outside Ukraine?. Our company has a division for research and development of new products and applications for the photovoltaic industry close to the Austrian capital. This is our business together with partners from Diamond Aircraft Industries.
When Activ Solar interested in Zaporizhia semiconductors?. History of polysilicon production in Ukraine began in 1964. This company (formerly Zaporizhia Titanium and Magnesium Plant ) in 1991 occupied about 2.1 % market share of world production of polysilicon, so that the asset was very interesting. We bought it in 2008.
In the same year started a program of deep modernization of the enterprise infrastructure with the installation of modern equipment for the production of polysilicon and trihlorselana. In 2010 the first stage of reconstruction, which made it possible to produce the first silicon October. Until we come to power 2.5 thousand. tons of polysilicon per year, expandable to 3.9 thousand. t.
At what cost the first stage of reconstruction?. The first phase cost us 300 million. euro.
What are the markets for products manufactured at the Zaporozhye plant of semiconductors?. While the first consumers of our products ( polysilicon ) are located in China.
And why not use their products on their own SES in the Crimea?. We 're working on it. We are negotiating with suppliers of solar modules, which use in the construction of solar power on them to buy our polysilicon. In addition, the plan provides for development over time as the production of solar panels and directly. But the key factor - it is the presence of its own production of high quality polysilicon, because that is what gives us all the doors.
How long will it take your movement to the fully closed production chain?. Most likely, it will take several years. For example, the construction of factories for the production of the plates is a half or two years from the date of the relevant decision.
Why did you decide to build a solar plant and why in the Crimea?. Ukraine has been approved by the law on ... Last year, we began to build and successfully completed its first solar park in the village Rodnikovoe capacity of 2.5 MW. And in February of 2011 brought the capacity up to 7.5 MW. Why Crimea? . First, the good level of solar activity ( the average is greater than in Germany - market leader in solar units ), and secondly, the high demand for electricity in the region. The need for up to 1 GW of Crimea in the summer when its own generation is only about 50 MW!.
Many companies complain that their brake problems with land. In fact, the land - not the only problem. Blocking problems much more. However, given the fact that our project fits well into the ecosystem of the Crimea, and also partially solves the problem of electricity shortage, we were able to solve these problems. You just need to start earlier and work intensively to choose the right parts. We're not talking about the use of fertile soils and are not building on the bank.
And what your area is occupied by SES?. On average, 1 megawatt solar plant needs about two acres of land. We first SES capacity of 7.5 megawatts - a total of 15 ha is obtained.
How much worth the discovery of these stations?. On average, these solar stations in Europe are about 3-4 euros per watt.
Expectations were met?. We are currently working in the schedule of those indicators that are currently planned, and generate electricity, even more than expected. But the summer has not started yet, and it was then that will be most interesting. To speak of the SES as a business, I propose to wait until at least the end of the first year of operation. Undoubtedly, this business is profitable, but like any other production of electricity from renewable sources, it is extremely long-term project.
What are Activ Solar plans for the future?. We plan to develop and expand the Zaporozhye plant of semiconductors in two directions: the production of mono-and multikremnievyh ingots and increase capacity to 13 thousand. tonnes of silicon per year. With regard to SES, the project in the village spring, which is already implemented in the Crimea - a pilot. We understand how it works, established internal business processes, logistics and so on, and now our goal - providing a full range of services for the creation of SES turnkey.
Why do you think that your proposal to build a turnkey SES will be in demand in Ukraine?. An investor should consider. The cost of construction of the ... The first - the price of components, the second - Engineering. And if everything is organized properly, the cost will be 3-4 euros per watt. You can easily calculate that if each installed kilowatt of us will be around 1.2-1.3 kWh of electricity by multiplying the ... The most important question that arises here is for the investor, it's like to arrange project financing.
The state encourages the development of sufficient alternative energy? . The Law on ... But if you compare our situation with other countries, you can find directions for improving the legislation. For example, the effect of ... Parks, constructed, for example, in 2014, will have only 15 years of benefits. In Germany, the ... Some states offer subsidies to advance. That is, there are ways to improve. In addition, some foreign investors, there are fears of possible difficulties in investing due to the rather low international credit rating of Ukraine. This complicates the design process to guarantee. But the huge potential the country has attracted more attention of foreign companies, and they are ready to implement their projects. The experience of our company - a good proof.
Johann Harter 60 years. While serving as executive director of Active Solar in May 2010. Prior to that, served as executive director of Qimonda AG. Invest Newspaper.
