Q.CELLS has received an order for 7 Megawattpeak (MWp) of solar modules by IKEA. Q.CELLS' CIGS thin-film modules Q.SMART will be installed on the roof-top of the main warehouse of IKEA in the Northern Italian town of Piacenza within the coming months. The project was initiated by the Italian companies F.lli Zaffaroni and GreenPowerTech.

"We are very proud of this order, which not only emphasises on our strong Italian footprint but shows, that leading brands like IKEA identify themselves with the high-quality and long-performing products of Q.CELLS", said Ciro Ahumada, Senior Vice President of Q.CELLS Europe. "Our Q.SMART thin-film modules engineered-in-Germany convince by their strong output especially in the hot climate of Italy as well as by their fine black aesthetics."

Ideal for commercial and residential settings, Q.SMART holds the world record for thin-film modules in serial production since 2009 with efficiencies of up to 14.7% (aperture area) out of series production. The CIGS is the only photovoltaic thin-film technology that uses the so-called "light-soaking" effect to generate up to 8 percent power above standard test conditions after installation.

Q.SMART solar modules also come with the innovative Anti PID technology (APT), protecting the modules against potential induced degradation (PID). Next to providing high efficiency products, Q.CELLS has actively contributed to the design, professional planning and execution of the roof-top system.

Mr. Paolucci of GreenPowerTech, a consultant to the project, comments: "Q.CELLS not only offers best-in-class products but their people deliver an highly professional service support, which is becoming more important in a largely decentralized PV world and especially on roof-top installations for operating warehouses."

Marco Dona, Italian Head of Sales of Q.CELLS comments: "The order represents yet another milestone in Q.CELLS' process of international expansion. Q.CELLS is continuously working on strengthening its position as partner for customers and suppliers of quality PV products and system solutions for a wide range of business segments in Italy, which is one of the most important PV-markets in the world."

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Q.CELLS successfully completes Europe's largest solar project
Q.CELLS has completed the solar project Brandenburg- Briest to full extend. It is the largest solar installation in Europe. With the last outstanding financial installment being placed by the financing bank, the commercial part of the mega project has now been finished. Q.CELLS had completed the entire construction of the mega solar park in an astounding eight weeks at the end of 2011.

"We are very pleased by this lighthouse project to have demonstrated our experience and outstanding competence in the systems business", said Clemens Jargon, head of marketing, sales and product management at Q.CELLS. "Our customers and their banks continue to rely on the high quality of our products also in the current situation."

In Brandenburg-Briest, what was once a former military airbase covering some 200 hectares is now "home" to approximately 383,000 of Q.CELLS' crystalline solar modules. With a total output of 91 MWp, Brandenburg-Briest produces enough electricity for over 22,500 households' annual requirements, making it the largest solar power plant in Europe. The plant will also reduce annual CO2 emissions by approximately 50,000 tons.

The Briest solar part is subdivided into three different sections. Brandenburg-Briest West and Brandenburg-Briest East have a total output of 60 MWp: located on land that belongs to the municipal authorities of the town of Brandenburg, they were transferred to the ownership of Hamburg-based asset management company LUXCARA in November 2011.

The third section at the site produces 31 MWp and is located in the communal district Briest-Havelsee. It was bought by Berlin-based MCG Management 2 Capital Group for its own stock. Q.CELLS had developed the project together with the company "Module 24".

"Q.CELLS sets benchmarks when it comes to constructing large-scale plants, for example by deploying the megawatt-block standard that we had developed", says Frank Danielzik, Director Systems and Operations Germany. "With those standard blocks we ensure higher power output for the plant operator, we speed up the pace of construction work and at the same time minimise operating costs." This principle was also applied for the design of the Bandenburg-Briest solar park.

In the systems solution field, Q.CELLS provides its customers with an extensive range of services, from site and project development to support when securing financing, from professional and fast installation to the management, maintenance and upkeep of power plants when in operation.

The company has been demonstrating the extent of its expertise on the international markets, for example in North America. Q.CELLS has realised large-scale solar projects totalling to a cumulated power output of 548 MWp, of which around 20% were installed in North America.