3D Micromac lands supply contract for Enel Green Power’s module gigafactory expansion

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Enel hopes to ramp up its production capacity at the 3Sun factory to 3GW by mid-2024, up from around 200MW today. Image: Enel Green Power.

German laser engineering company 3D Micromac is to supply its laser cutting technology to Enel Green Power’s 3Sun gigafactory in Sicily, Italy as the company strives to expand its production capacity of high-efficiency modules to 3GW by 2024.

The microCELL MCS laser cutting system was purchased by Bottero S.p.A., which is serving as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the 3Sun project, and will be used in Enel’s 3Sun Gigafactory for cutting high-efficiency heterojunction solar cells.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Bottero said 3D Micromac was selected in part because of its patented thermal laser separation process, which is used by the microCELL MCS to provide ablation-free cell cutting that Micromac said minimised power losses and provided superior edge quality for heat-sensitive heterojunction cells over traditional laser scribe and break processes.  

“3D-Micromac’s microCELL systems are proven in heterojunction solar module and cell manufacturing and all of our experience from these past installations will be fully utilised to support this major expansion project,” said Uwe Wagner, CEO of 3D-Micromac.

The company said the microCELL MCS laser cutting system has a throughput of more than 6,000 wafers per hour (full-cells) and is capable of cutting mono-crystalline as well as polycrystalline silicon square and pseudo-square wafers ranging in sizes from M2 to M12/G12 into half-cells or shingled cells without compromising throughput or yield.

One of Europe’s largest PV factories, Enel Green Power’s 3Sun Gigafactory produces modules for the company’s solar projects. In April, the factory had a production capacity of 200MW but intends to ramp this up to 3GW by July 2024.  

The facility will require €600 million euros (US$631 million) and will see Enel Green Power’s investment supported with €118 million (US$124.1) in EU funding via the bloc’s Innovation Fund for large-scale projects.

Enel said 3Sun’s lines will also produce heterojunction bifacial panels and has teased the development of modules featuring tandem cell structures in the future, but has provided no specific timeline for this. While heterojunction modules are already commercially available, tandem cells are still considered to be some years away from commercialisation.

Read Next

September 18, 2025
CERC is finalising guidelines for virtual power purchase agreements (vPPAs) to unlock financing for over 40GW of uncontracted renewable capacity.
September 17, 2025
Spanish renewables developer and operator Acciona Energía has commissioned its 412MWp Juna solar PV plant in Kawani village in the western state of Rajasthan. 
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
QatarEnergy has signed an EPC agreement with Samsung C&T for its 2GW Dukhan project. 
Premium
September 17, 2025
PV CellTech: Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of North American solar module manufacturer Heliene, says US producers must learn to survive without tax incentives.
September 16, 2025
Sunotec has launched Sunotec Nordic to spearhead solar and hybrid renewable project development across the Nordic region.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA