SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES and Q-Cells will start a joint development program towards having a fully automated vacuum coating system for depositing anti-reflective layers on solar wafers to drive conversion efficiencies higher while reducing production costs, the companies have said.
“This project is an important milestone in our close cooperation with plant engineering companies”, adds Dr. Florian Holzapfel, Chief Technology Officer of Q-Cells AG. “In order to come closer to the PV-industry’s target to make solar power compatible, the significant reduction of production costs is essential. This will only be possible if the cell developers with their process know-how work closely together with equipment producers to transfer further advanced production processes from research and development into the production steps.”
The project will focus on leveraging SINGULUS’ expertise in the CD, DVD and Blu-ray metal deposition arena and applying the knowledge to improving thin film deposition techniques in a fully automated set-up. The project will start this year.