Siemens Energy will increase its stake in Archimede Solar Energy, a joint venture between Angelantoni Industries and Siemens, from 28% to 45% effective May 1, 2010.
Siemens said that the objective of the investment is to accelerate the setup of solar receiver production in Massa Martana, Umbria. Starting in early 2011, the plant will have an annual production capacity of approximately 75,000 solar receivers. In a second step, the plant’s capacity is to be increased to 140,000 per year.
Rene Umlauft, CEO of renewable energy division at Siemens, said: “With the increase of our shares in Archimede, we are further strengthening our cooperation with Angelantoni Industries.
“The solar receivers of Archimede Solar Energy use molten salt as the heat transfer medium. This is a very promising technological option for solar thermal power plants and an ideal addition to our existing portfolio.”
With the molten-salt receiver technology from Archimede Solar and the thermal-oil-based receiver technology from Siemens Concentrated Solar Power (formerly Solel Solar Systems), Siemens is now a supplier of a complete range of products for the solar thermal power industry, the company claims.