Applied Materials cuts IEC-certified SunFab materials costs by 22%

October 29, 2009
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

As developments to the company’s SunFab thin-film module manufacturing line continue, Applied Materials has managed to cut the cost of materials on the line by 22%. The company’s next-generation module technology was applied to establish some process efficiency updates, coupled with new lower pricing arrangements with materials suppliers.

Applied has also gained IEC certification from TÜV Intercert for SunFab panels that will be using these new lower-cost materials and processes for aperture area conversion efficiencies of up to 9.7%. The certification applies to both single- and tandem-junction modules in all panel sizes – good news for those customers wishing to upgrade panel performance without having to seek additional certification.

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

“This achievement demonstrates Applied’s ongoing commitment to reducing the cost of manufacturing panels with our SunFab Thin Film Line to $1/watt and below,” said Tom Lacey, vice president and general manager of Applied Materials’ SunFab Thin Film Solar Group.

Read Next

April 30, 2026
Australia's surging solar adoption has driven battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the National Electricity Market (NEM) to more than triple their daytime-to-evening energy shifting in the first quarter of 2026, according to AEMO's latest Quarterly Energy Dynamics report.
Premium
April 30, 2026
US solar is 'relatively strong [because] the fundamentals for solar are really strong,' Aurora Solar's Fox Swim tells PV Tech Premium.
April 30, 2026
French solar module recycling company ROSI has announced plans to open a new facility in Spain.
April 30, 2026
Inox Solar has entered into an agreement with Chinese technology and manufacturing firm Ningbo Boway Alloy Material to acquire all the equity stakes of its US subsidiary Boviet Solar Technology.
April 30, 2026
US community solar developer Renewable Properties has acquired 118MW of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar modules from US solar manufacturer First Solar.
April 30, 2026
TotalEnergies and Nextnorth have reached financial close on, and started construction at, a 440MW solar PV project in the Philippines.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 3, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
August 25, 2026
São Paulo, Brazil
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA