PV Crystalox Solar started as an ingot furnace manufacturer. As part of its R&D
and through the testing of products, it produced multicrystalline ingots.
Through the encouragement of its world-leading customers, the company moved into
producing ingots full time, ceasing to sell its propriety technology to what are
now its competitors. The company is a leader in the industry and was the first to
develop multicrystalline technology on an industrial scale, producing the first
66cm ingots, which have since become the industry standard.
PV Crystalox Solar's milestones and development:
- 1982 Crystalox founded in Wantage, Oxfordshire, UK
- 1985 Crystalox taken over by Elkem ASA
- 1990 Development of multi-crystalline technology
- 1994 Management buy-out took place
- 1996 Developed industrial scale production, producing the first 66cm ingot
- 1997 PV Silicon is founded in Erfurt, Germany
- 1999 Strategic partnership between Crystalox Solar and PV Silicon is founded
- 2002 Crystalox Solar and PV Silicon merge into PV Crystalox Solar
Crystalox Japan KK is founded
- 2007 Initial public offering – listed on the London Stock Exchange
