UK-based cleantech firm Gas Recovery and Recycle Limited (GR2L) will supply its patented technology to help Adani's 2 GW Mundra, Gujarat located factory bring down its energy consumption, carbon footprint and cost of manufacturing solar panels.
A vast amount of argon gas is conventionally used to purify silicon crystals for solar cells, a process that requires manufacturers to ship in multiple tankers each day. GR2L claims its ArgonØ machinery can recycle up to 95% of argon gas used, thereby reducing costs for manufacturers.
A micro small and medium enterprise (SME) in Surrey, GR2L says its ArgonØ system uses a chemical looping combustive purification technology that ensures recycled gas is free of oxygen. The £4 million order will be supplied to Mundra Solar Technology Ltd.
"With production of brand-new argon creating up to a tonne of carbon dioxide for every tonne of argon, our cutting-edge gas recycling technology helps solar facilities reduce their scope 3 CO2 emissions and produce solar fuel cells more efficiently," said GR2L CEO and Founder Rob Grant.
The company counts the world's leading solar manufacturer LONGi as one of its clients that has deployed the GR2L units at its Kuching, Malaysia fab.
Seeing the export opportunity this entails, the UK Export Finance (UKEF) is supporting GR2L with a £475,000 guarantee under its Bond Support Scheme to enable the company to access crucial funds needed to deliver the Mundra contract by 2023-end.
"It is good news that GR2L, a micro-business which has the edge in international markets thanks to the strength of its patented UK technology, is now going even further with the backing of UK Export Finance," stated UKEF Export Finance Manager for Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex, Lisa Maddison-Brown.
Recently, Adani Group's Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) received a commercial operation date certificate for its 2 GW solar cells and modules manufacturing plant at Mundra (see Green Signal For Solar Manufacturing Plant).