SCI Engineered Materials has received a $1 million order for thin-film photovoltaic products from an unspecified customer. The physical vapor deposition-related materials are expected to be manufactured and shipped during the second half of 2009, the company said.
SCI began developing additional products for the TFPV sector in 2006, following several years as a PVD materials supplier to the market. During the past two years, the Columbus, OH-based company says it has accelerated the acquisition of manufacturing equipment to scale its operations and also hired additional engineering and sales staff to specifically focus on thin-film PV.
SCI says it is actively involved in the qualification process with several customers and has received a number of trial orders in 2009.
Late last year, the company won a $708,715 grant from the Ohio Department of Development, as part of the state’s Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program. The monies are designated for the commercialization of rotatable ceramic sputtering targets for thin-film PV manufacturing. SCI has said it will bring technologies to market for the production of transparent conductive oxide-coated glass used in TFPV solar panels.