Taiwan’s CMC Magnetics Corp has contracted with Oerlikon Solar to
provide a turnkey 40-MWp thin-film solar cell production plant. The
deal includes end-to- production process from glass purification to
testing of the finished solar modules with an entire metrology system
integrated into the lines. The first components will be shipped to CMC
this year and production is planned for mid-2008.
“Oerlikon Solar is the absolute leader in thin-film solar technology
and, at present, is the only supplier of mature production plants for
thin-film solar modules,” said Bob Wang, chairman of CMC. “Our decision
was therefore clear – we are going with the market and technology
leader.”
“With
this major order, Oerlikon Solar becomes the world’s first company to
supply a customer with a fully automated production line for thin-film
solar modules with integrated test systems,” said Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO
of Oerlikon. “This is only the beginning. As more and more companies
adopt this much-needed technology, Oerlikon Solar will lead the surge
by supporting customers’ needs and providing them with the
most-advanced, cost-effective equipment to date. Oerlikon Solar has
reached a further important milestone in the development of its product
portfolio and continues to build on its leading market position.”
Oerlikon
Solar is also supplying CMC with its TCO technology that is claimed to
improve electrical conductivity within the solar modules, enabling a
reduction in the cost per watt, the first such plant to adopt the
technology according to the company.
