SCHOTT Solar will be building photovoltaic modules in its new facility in Albuquerque.

Air Products has announced an agreement to supply SCHOTT Solar's new production facility in Albuquerque, N.M. with liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon and hydrogen. The new plant, which will manufacture photovoltaic modules and receivers for concentrated solar thermal power plants, is expected operational in the spring of 2009.

“We are proud that Air Products' expertise in the safe and efficient handling and delivery of bulk liquid gases helped win this new business and we look forward to growing with SCHOTT Solar in the future,” said Jeff Handelman, general manager, Photovoltaics, for Air Products. "We view the solar market as a strategic growth engine for Air Products' Electronics division. Our strong materials position globally, along with our technology, supply chain and project management experience fits well with the needs of this industry."

With the demand for renewable energy and improved efficiency on the rise, Air Products is well positioned to take advantage of these emergent markets due to its experience in areas such as large scale hydrogen supply for cleaner transportation fuels, developmental work on the hydrogen economy, hydrogen vehicle fuelling and infrastructure issues, leading natural gas liquefaction technology, advanced materials for lithium ion electrolytes for longer life batteries, and now the mounting supply of gases and services for photovoltaics.