AFG Joins in Venture for Photovoltaic Modules

AFG Industries Inc., the Irvine-based glass maker, said Thursday it will be part of a three-company joint venture to build a new factory to manufacture photovoltaic modules, devices used to convert sunlight directly into electricity, for an Alabama utility.

AFG will join Southern Electric Investment Inc. and Chronar Corp. to build the six-foot-high modules that will provide off-peak hour, reserve power for the investment company’s parent, Alabama Power Co.

Start-up of the $7.2 million Alabama production facility will be in mid-1986. At full capacity, the facility is planned to produce photovoltaic panels with a one megawatt capacity for installation on roofs in new construction, said Ron Tiller, an AFG marketing executive.

Under the terms of the joint agreement, AFG will furnish the glass and glass coating, Southern Electric will provide the financing and Chronar will manufacture and market the modules.

AFG, which manufactures a variety of household, commercial and specialty glass, including solar panels, does not expect significant profits out of the venture soon, said Gary Miller, AFG treasurer. Instead, he said, AFG wants to get in on the ground floor of what it sees as a potentially lucrative market.

Photovoltaic modules are similar to solar panels but do not use water to transfer heat. The modules, like the tiny photovoltaic cells used in some calculators, convert sunlight directly into electricity.