Volume production starts at world’s largest CIS thin-film module plant

Showa Shell Sekiyu subsidiary Solar Frontier has begun the commercial ramp of its new advanced, fully-automated CIS (copper, indium and selenium) thin-film solar module production plant, located in Miyazaki, Japan. Initial production capacity is claimed to be 600MW and is planned to reach a nameplate capacity of 1GW in 2012.

“The Kunitomi plant’s manufacturing processes involve some of the most advanced production automation in the industry, as we aim to ensure the highest quality and reliability,” noted Hiroshi Yoshida, VP of manufacturing at Solar Frontier. “The panels manufactured at the Kunitomi plant will have higher output and be larger than ever before, too, saving significantly on the BOS costs of installed systems.”

Solar Frontier is one of the few thin-film manufacturers to have the capacity to match thin-film leader, First Solar. Although not housed in a single manufacturing plant, the complex is the first to be built and operated with a 1GW capability. The plant was broke ground in September 2009 and cost approximately US$1.2 billion.

Shigeaki Kameda, CEO of Solar Frontier, commented that, “The scale of our automation will provide unprecedented manufacturing efficiency. With the plant running at full capacity, we will become very competitive worldwide. Based in Germany, the United States and Japan, Solar Frontier’s expanding sales network and significant partnerships with global players will enable us to deliver economical and ecological next-generation CIS solar energy solutions to customers everywhere.”

Solar Frontier noted that products manufactured at the plant have now obtained certifications on performance and safety issued by Japanese and European standards organizations, while U.S. certifications were expected shortly.

The thin-film manufacturer claims production module efficiencies of 11.6% with its roadmap targeting 12.2% efficiencies in 2012. Solar Frontier did not provide manufacturing cost per watt figures.