Applied to build world’s first gen 8.5 thin film solar line

By Ann Steffora Mutschler -- 3/5/2007

Santa Clara, CA-based semiconductor and thin film equipment leader Applied Materials Inc. reported that it has been selected by Moser Baer India Ltd. to develop and install what it believes is the world’s first Generation (Gen) 8.5 thin film solar module production line in New Delhi, India.

This Gen 8.5 line will manufacture photovoltaic solar modules using ultra-large 5.7-square meter substrates, measuring 2.2 meters by 2.6 meters. These glass panels – four times bigger than today’s largest solar panel substrates – are expected to drive down panel production costs and help reduce the overall cost of solar electricity, Applied noted.

“This contract represents a significant collaboration between companies in the U.S and India to establish the first truly modern solar facility in India using semiconductor manufacturing processes,” said Ravi Khanna, CEO of Moser Baer’s photo voltaic business, in a statement.

“We are focused on developing and manufacturing innovative products that are intended to significantly reduce electric power and utility costs and provide a cost-effective option for clean renewable energy,” he continued.

“In light of its extensive experience in providing process expertise to chipmakers and large area substrate manufacturing technology to the flat panel display industry, we are confident Applied Materials can help us rapidly realize our plan to get to a 200 megawatt factory by 2009,” Khanna added.

Applied expects to deliver its thin film solar module production line in the second half of this year.

The contract between the companies includes a fully-integrated production line including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), laser scribing, factory software, automation and other supporting technologies required to establish a solar panel manufacturing facility with a rated initial capacity of 40 megawatts per year.

Applied noted that it’s Gen 8.5 Line is designed for flexibility because production output can be configured for final product sizes from 1.4 to 5.7 square meters. Current thin film production lines are configured for panel sizes limited to dimensions less than 1.5 square meters.

Mark Pinto, senior VP and general manager of Applied’s new business and new products group said, “This contract heralds Applied’s entry into the delivery of full production lines to solar customers -- and signals a critical milestone for the solar industry in the drive to reduce the cost of solar cells by using larger substrates.”

The company added that Moser Baer has extensive experience in high volume manufacturing, which will be key to enabling cost reduction since India holds tremendous potential both as a worldwide hub for solar panel production and as an end market for photovoltaic electric power, Pinto concluded.

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