Applied Materials has launched a program that supports customers of its PV thin-film ‘SunFab’ turnkey production line with specific guarantees in respect to ramp, efficiency optimization and productivity as well as enabling continuous cost reductions based on megawatt output. Applied said that it has also signed a multiyear agreement for the service with T-Solar Global S.A. of Spain.
“Guaranteeing performance through cost of operation and associated megawatt output represents a major shift from the traditional service model,” said Manfred Kerschbaum, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Applied Global Services. “We are pleased to pioneer the way in providing customers like T-Solar with a comprehensive service program that represents a step function improvement in value and the most complete and dependable choice for maintaining and optimizing their investment.”
“By entrusting the equipment, maintenance and performance of our solar production line to Applied, we are guaranteed specific results that minimize our risk, shorten our time to production, and meet our profit goals,” stated Cesar Alberte, Fab Director of T-Solar. “We view this as the most economic solution to running our solar fab that over time will allow us to drop the cost per watt of solar energy.”
T-Solar became the first company in Europe to order an Applied SunFab Thin-Film production line (40MW) in 2007. Applied is also handling preventive and corrective maintenance and complete parts management for T-Solar.