MUNICH, Germany — US-based photovoltaic systems vendor Solyndra Inc. plans to participate in the fast-growing European market for regenerative energy production. The company now has opened its European headquarters in Holzkirchen near Munich.

With its cylindrical solar cells, Solyndra believes it has an edge over the widespread flat-panel solar systems. Solyndra's CIGS-based thin film solar cells are applied in helical shape on a carrier cylinder. This cylinder in turn is enclosed in a hermetically sealed glass cylinder. Multiple cylinders are connected mechanically and electrically to form a rectangular photovoltaic element.

This shape makes power conversion less dependent from the position of the sun, explained Clemens Jargon who heads the new subsidiary. Thus, the cells generate up to twice as much energy compared to flat-panel systems. In addition, the cylinders are less prone to dirt and staining which helps to keep the power generation stable over long periods.

In several European countries the markets for photovoltaic systems are growing particularly fast since there are regulations in place that grant users a remuneration for electricity feed-in. These countries include France, Germany, and Spain, Jargon said. Italy and the United Kingdom also are very interesting markets for Solyndra, he added.

The company runs a commercial production in Fremont, California, with a target capacity of 110 MW. A second production line with a capacity of 500 MW is scheduled to go online until end of 2010.

Initially, the subsidiary in Holzkirchen will perform sales functions. However, it is "probable" that the company sooner or later will launch a production line in Europe, Jargon said.