AMPERE: a succesful project to regain European PV manufacture competitiveness

AMPERE project, acronym for Automated photovoltaic cell and Module industrial Production to regain and secure European Renewable Energy market, is aimed to the setting-up of an innovative 200 MWp/y full-scale automated pilot line for the production of heterojunction solar cells and modules, with bifacial architecture, in Europe. This work traces the activity of the entire project that led to the rebirth of a new photovoltaic industry lead by Enel Green Power in its production site in Catania-Italy, highlighting its most relevant results in terms of technological and industrial development, economical assessment and market perspectives. The implementation of innovative technologies into these industrial manufacturing lines demonstrates that a larger production of PV products at a competitive Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) at European manufacturer level is possible. Basing on financial estimations and on manufacturing line first results the project delivers the roadmap for the exploitation at GWp level.