Advanced Process Control (APC) has become an indispensable cornerstone of today’s semiconductor manufacturing. With roots in chemical processing, APC has not only proven itself in semiconductor manufacturing, but has potential to enhance yield in adjacent industries, such as photovoltaics. This paper gives a short introduction to APC, including its key elements, and proceeds to illustrate examples and success stories from the application of APC in semiconductor manufacturing. Based on these application examples, the lessons learned are summarized and the potentials of APC for PV are derived.
This past May, Pacific Blue Energy announced its 20MW Sunshine Solar Farm with Siliken Renewable Energy on 154.3 acres in Flagstaff, Arizona. Following in its own footsteps, Pacific Blue is in the processing of completing is acquisition of 100 acres of land in Gila Bend, Arizona for the construction of a new 150MW solar farm. In addition, the company is negotiating another 707 acres that is adjacent to the 100 acre parcel. Currently the acquisition agreement is subject to closing conditions.
Solar developer/financier Helio Micro Utility (Helio mU) has acquired Simple Energies, a renewable energy project development firm with a 50MW global pipeline. As part of the deal, Simple Energies CEO and industry veteran Ty Jagerson joins Helio mU's executive management team.
Dynamic Engineering (DEI) has formed a strategic alliance with Polycrystalline Silicon Technology (PST). DEI now offers PST's advanced hydrochlorination technology as well as its fully closed-loop chlorosilane and silane technology.
Product Briefing Outline: Schneider Electric is now offering an approach to create intelligent energy management systems under the EcoStruxure banner. These systems are simplified, save money, and most importantly, reduce waste by enabling a guaranteed compatibility between the management of power, white space, process and machines, building control, and security. With EcoStruxure, businesses can anticipate better results and improvements in operations through systematic energy visibility and real time control of any energy usage.
An 18-acre solar garden has been dedicated adjacent to Mars Chocolate's North America headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ. The 2.15MW (DC) power plant--which is comprised of more than 28,000 ground-mounted First Solar thin-film PV modules--is said to be the largest solar energy facility installed in New Jersey by a food manufacturing plant and the first project completed by Public Service Enterprise Group's PSEG Solar Source subsidiary.
Dow Corning has started construction of a high-purity monosilane gas manufacturing plant in Thomas Township, MI. The factory, located adjacent to Hemlock Semiconductor's polysilicon production facility, is expected to be completed in 2011.
One of Trina Solar's key photovoltaic module glass suppliers, Beijing Hua Mei Dazheng Technology, has signed an investment agreement to site a production facility in the Changzhou Trina Photovoltaic Industrial Park. The deal was signed with the Changzhou National High Tech District to build a glass factory adjacent to Trina Solar's manufacturing campus.
SolarWorld will begin construction soon on a new building adjacent to its Hillsboro, OR, production plant. The 210,000 sq. ft. facility, scheduled for completion in November, will house a combination of logistics and manufacturing activities. The company said that the new structure will allow it to realign production operations to make more efficient space of the main building's full capacity.
Pacific Gas & Electric is looking for suppliers to bid on a 2-MW pilot photovoltaic power plant--the first step in part of its five-year plan to develop 500 MW of solar in its Northern California coverage area. The utility says it wants to use the pilot project, which will be completed by the end of 2009, to help develop its processes for building and operating PV facilities while it seeks regulatory approval for the full proposal with the California Public Utilities Commission.
