Oerlikon Solar gains two new thin-film customers

Oerlikon Solar has secured business from two new thin-film start-ups.
Spanish firm Gadir Solar SA has ordered a complete turnkey a-Si thin
film production line, capable of producing over 300,000 panels per year
and China-based Chint Solar, has ordered Oerlikon’s ‘micromorph’
R&D line and first-phase production equipment. The equipment will
be delivered in 2008 with ramps expected in 2009.

“By securing both contracts, Oerlikon Solar enlarges its share in important growth markets. This further strengthens our market leading position as provider of proven thin-film silicon PV solutions,” says Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar.

In recent months, Gadir Solar was reported to be planning a production capacity of 40MW at a new plant built in Cadiz, Spain with plans for a further 20MW in a second-phase ramp.

“Oerlikon Solar has proven they are the leader in the thin film silicon PV market, both in terms of their production experience and their unparalleled technology,” commented David Naranjo Villalonga, CEO of Gadir Solar. “We have no doubt that we have chosen the right partner to ensure on time production of our thin film silicon modules and realize our growth and cost strategy by leveraging the industries most advanced thin film silicon technology.”

Oerlikon said that Gadir Solar would also receive an R&D line for Oerlikon’s micromorph technology as well as doubling capacity and migrating to the micromorph technology at a later date.

Chint Solar was said to be planning production in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province to start by mid-2009 and add capacity of up to 180MW by 2010 and is also Oerlikon Solar’s first customer in mainland China.

“We see the future of thin film silicon PV technology in micromorph technology. By partnering with Oerlikon, we are confident that we can successfully commercialize on this leading technology”, noted Dr. Liyou Yang, President and CEO of Chint Solar.