Applied Materials’ Next-Generation IEC-Certified SunFab Module Technology Cuts Customers’ Cost of Manufacturing
Applied Materials, Inc. announced today that it has significantly
lowered the cost for customers to manufacture solar photovoltaic (PV)
panels on its SunFab™ Thin Film Line using its
next-generation module technology. Executing on its aggressive
cost-cutting roadmap, Applied has leveraged economies of scale with
leading suppliers and has introduced key process efficiencies that
reduce the cost of materials by 22%. In addition, SunFab panels using
these new materials and processes have received IEC*
certification for aperture area conversion efficiencies of up to 9.7%,
enabling customers to advance panel performance to this level without
requiring additional certification.
“This achievement demonstrates Applied’s ongoing commitment to reducing
the cost of manufacturing panels with our SunFab Thin Film Line to
$1/watt and below,” said Tom Lacey, vice president and general manager
of Applied Materials’ SunFab Thin Film Solar Group. “Applied Materials
has a unique ability to accelerate solar PV through its 5.7m2
panel size standard, innovative technology and line performance
improvements, and also through its expanding global SunFab footprint
that enables economies of scale by aggregating the needs of multiple
customers.”
In order to achieve these cost reductions, Applied worked with leading,
high-quality materials suppliers on behalf of its customers to secure
lower pricing in key raw materials such as transparent conductive glass
and laminating films. Applied also engineered and validated more
efficient processes that significantly decrease materials consumption.
Applied’s receipt of advance IEC certification for panels produced on
SunFab lines using this next-generation module package of materials and
process changes will help accelerate customers’ time to market for their
new panels. The IEC certification was awarded to both single and tandem
junction modules in all panel sizes by TÜV InterCert, demonstrating
that, like the original SunFab panels, modules produced with this
next-generation technology can meet performance and safety
specifications under challenging environmental conditions.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of
innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication
of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells,
flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials,
we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live.
Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
*IEC: International Electrotechnical Commission
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