ALD technology to target thin-film PV in Smit Ovens, SoLayTec and Solliance partnership

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

A joint development program is to mesh atomic layer deposition (ALD) with large-area substrates to provide production tool technology for improved buffer and barrier layer deposition for thin-film PV modules, including CIGS.

SoLayTec will supply expertise is has in ALD injector head technology used in its c-Si solar cell ‘InPassion’ tool, while Smit Ovens will take the role of machine integrator and act as contract partner to the customers via the Solliance CIGS/CZTS program.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The process development tool could also be used for improved TFT structures as required for next-generation OLED displays, according to the partners and is expected to be will be integrated in the existing CIGS development line at Solliance.

Wiro Zijlmans, CEO of Smit Ovens said, “We are very excited about this cooperation since it allows us to achieve two strategic targets at the same time. We are able to offer an advanced process solution for the buffer layer to our existing customers for CIGS crystallization. On top of that we are able to expand our market penetration in the Display market which we were already addressing with drying & sintering solutions.”

“After having successfully launched our first products in the market for crystalline PV, we now are able to use the proven deposition technology for the next market opportunity,” added Huib Heezen, managing director of SoLayTec. “Also, we are very enthusiastic about our cooperation with an experience player as Smit ovens as this enables us to market both our combined areas of expertise within a short time frame.”

Indeed, the companies expect the program will lead to a production ready tool in a faster time than would be typical, though possible market entry timescales were not disclosed.
 

Read Next

May 30, 2025
Independent power producer (IPP) Aquila Clean Energy has started construction on a 52MW agrivoltaics (agriPV) project in Italy.
May 30, 2025
The US added 7.4GW of new renewable energy capacity in the first three months of 2025, with deployments and planned projects concentrated in Republican-voting states.
May 30, 2025
Solar and wind curtailment have increased by 29% between 2023 and 2024 in California, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
May 30, 2025
Companies delayed or cancelled US$14 billion in investments in clean energy projects in the US in the first four months of this year.
May 30, 2025
Waaree Solar Americas – a subsidiary of Indian solar manufacturer Waaree Energies – has signed a 586MW solar module supply agreement with an undisclosed independent power producer (IPP).
May 30, 2025
Spanish independent power producer (IPP) has unveiled two new solar-plus-storage projects, one in Central Chile and the other in Spain.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia