Order Focus: KSK signs contract with Applied Materials for two SunFab thin-film lines

KSK Surya Photovoltaic Venture, a subsidiary of KSK Power Ventur, independent power provider in India, has signed a contract with Applied Materials, to purchase two Applied SunFab thin-film lines for manufacturing 5.7m2 solar panels. The SunFab lines are to be installed in a new facility with projected annual capacity of 150MW.

When complete, the facility will be the largest PV factory in India. By utilising Applied Materials' tandem junction technology, each 5.7m2 SunFab panel is expected to have a power output of more than 500Wp.

T.L. Sankar, KSK's chairman, said, "Since India receives among the highest amount of solar radiation in the world, it must become a leader in solar power-generation technology. Our alliance with Applied Materials will help KSK play a significant part in India's new Solar Mission to build 20GW of solar power by 2020."

KSK also intends to apply its power generation experience to system integration and development of solar farms selling energy into the grid.

Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied's Energy and Environmental Solutions Group said, "The fully integrated SunFab lines will enable KSK to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy solar farms to meet India's fast-growing, energy needs."

Further to this, KSK has signed a service contract with Applied Materials covering the first five years of production. Applied will support KSK's lines with maintenance, spare parts and other services in order to optimize the equipment performance and maximize the manufacturing output. The two companies will work together to develop continuous improvement programs to increase module efficiency and lower operating costs.