Germany’s only listed municipal utility, MVV, will invest in a USD 22 million joint venture to build a solar cell factory in Greece through its share in US firm Energy Photovoltaics. “New Jersey-based Energy Photovoltaics (EPV), in which MVV Energie has a 23.51% stake will, in the framework of a joint venture with Themeliodomi SA in Thessaloniki, build a new solar cell factory in the Greek town of Kilkis,” Mannheim-based MVV said in a statement. “The plant should begin operations at the end of 2002 and within a year produce solar modules for a five-megawatt-power performance,” it added. EPV and Themeliodomi will each invest USD 11 million. EPV’s so-called thin film technology is the latest in photovoltaic design, and MVV has plans to produce the cells in Germany. “MVV may make the decision next year to build a solar cell plant, using EPV’s pioneering technology, in Germany. It is not yet decided what participation EPV will play in that,” MVV spokesman Roland Kress said.
