By Drew Wilson Courtesy of EE Times Europe (03/05/2008 9:02 AM EST)

Seven new polysilicon and feedstock plants to address the worldwide polysilicon shortage are planned for construction in Russia, reports the SEMI organization.

The largest factory, Nitol Solar, in the Irkutsk region in Siberia, began production in January. By 2009, Nitol expects to produce 3,700 tons of polysilicon per year. Nitol's tech partner was GT Solar (Merrimack, NH), which sold the polysilicon reactors.

Nitol recently signed an agreement with Evergreen Solar (Marlboro, MA) to supply solar grade raw polysilicon for a six-year period, commencing in 2009.

Nitol is also planning an IPO in London.

Other companies planning factories are Russian Silicon, Renova Orgsyntes, Poldosky, Baltic Silicon Valley and Synthetic Technologies. The projects include production of polysilicon, feedstock, solar cells, modules and converters for domestic sale and export, according to the SEMI organization.