Applied Materials Aquires HCT and Introduces Integrated Thin Film Production Line

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) is making its mark on the solar PV industry with recent acquisition of HCT Shaping Systems and the announcement of the introduction of its Applied SunFab^™ Thin Film production line. By applying their four decades of thin film on silicon experience to the manufacturing of solar modules, the company claims that the total volume of solar panels manufactured each year can be vastly increased. At the same time, their products are aimed at reducing the cost per watt of energy produced, to become more competitive with current electricity generation.

HCT Shaping Systems SA (HCT) is the world’s leading supplier of precision wafering systems for manufacturing crystalline silicon (c-Si) substrates for the solar industry. The acquisition of HCT expands Applied’s portfolio of solutions for helping solar customers reduce the costs of manufacturing photovoltaic (PV) cells to make solar energy more competitive with grid electricity.

“This acquisition, combined with our strong production technology and global support infrastructure, will enable us to bring crystalline silicon solar manufacturing to a new level of efficiency and help drive down the cost-per-watt of solar power,” said Mike Splinter, president and CEO of Applied Materials. “HCT’s technology is critical to our roadmap since it complements our high-throughput deposition systems and will enable customers to scale up production and reduce costs.”

Applied SunFab^™ is the world’s first and only integrated production line for manufacturing thin film silicon solar modules using 5.7 square meter (m²) glass panels. These ultra-large substrates, sized at 2.2m x 2.6m, are four times bigger than today’s largest thin film solar production panels. This line defines a new standard for the industry that can be replicated by customers around the globe to rapidly establish solar panel manufacturing capacity and achieve the lowest production cost per watt to drive down the cost of solar electricity.

The Applied SunFab Thin Film Line can be configured with single or tandem junction technology and is designed to produce enough solar modules in a year to generate up to 75 megawatts (MW) of electrical power. Using 5.7m² panels, the SunFab Line can reduce the cost of utility-scale and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system installations by more than 20%. Applied has already received multiple contracts for its SunFab Thin Film Line from customers in Europe and Asia.

“We’ve built on our years of experience in semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing to create the solar industry’s first standardized thin film solution for making solar modules using cost-efficient, ultra-large glass panels,” said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president, chief technology officer and general manager of Applied’s Energy and Environmental Solutions group. “With this state-of-the-art thin film production line and Applied’s global service capabilities, we are well-positioned to accelerate the growth of the solar market by providing an unprecedented ‘cost per watt’ through standardization, scale and efficiency.”

The Applied SunFab Line’s design delivers leading-edge solar manufacturing capability, using the world’s most advanced engineering, process equipment, diagnostics, automation and emissions abatement systems. Applied adapted its production-proven CVD(a) and PVD(a) process systems to build the most critical layers of the module, including its market-leading PECVD(a) system that processes 5.7m² glass substrates for the flat panel display industry. For more information, visit: http://appliedmaterials.com/products/index_pc3.html.

(a) CVD= chemical vapor deposition; PVD=physical vapor deposition; PECVD=plasma-enhanced CVD

Comments

[JohnBo]

I looked at all the references (and sub references) on this article and concluded it is boring. There is no data for costs, efficiency, etc. available. Jim, please give us a nuclear article so we can have a spirited debate… :)

[JohnBo]

Oops ... I should have said, "there are no data...."

[Thin Film Solar Panels]

I can't wait to see these solar panels available for purchase at your nearest Lowes and Home Depot! I know that may be awhile before we see that but their are enough green energy enthusiasts to even pay more then they should for an affordable solar panel product.

[JamesT]

They can work on improving the efficiency, but all people really care about(most people anyway) is the cost. i've bought lots of panels and converters from http://www.budgetsolarstore.com/cheap-solar-power/solar-greenhouse

The best way to get off the grid for less is to make your own system and to install it yourself.(in my experience anyway)

[JamesT]

heres the main link http://www.budgetsolarstore.com Just google for more

[Tom Polich]

Jim -

With the recent criticism regarding the bio-fuels carbon emissions debate, I wonder if there has ever been a full energy study of the GHG, carbon emissions study of this type of a fab plant from the site selection, clearing of land for the site, construction, gas manufacturing and delivery, manufacturing costs of the equipment, installation of the equipment, power for manufacturing, packaging, shipping and delivery, install, operation of arrays and removal recycling of panels.

Does anyone have any information of that type?

Tx

[Jon]

I hope that solar panels will become affordable in the coming years. They are just so expensive.

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