Sep 8 2010
Applied Materials, a global leader in providing equipments for solar photovoltaic industries, will demonstrate its most recent technology enhancements in the manufacture of photo voltaic cells at the 25th European Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) to be held in Valencia, Spain.
The company has decided to offer a variety of novel improvements including robust automation systems for increased productivity, highly competent crystalline silicon and thin film technology to the upcoming PV industries.
At the EU PVSEC, Applied Materials will reveal its progression in various techniques including multi-cell deposition, double printing and high-speed. The company will also inform its recent developments in Emitter Wrap-Through (EWT) technology in which all the contacts are positioned behind the cell. By incorporating this technology into a crystal silicon, p-type wafers and proven production methods, the company has realized 18.4% increase in cell competency on bulky cells in R&D analysis. Also those contacts positioned at the back enable the development of a fully automated highly robust module assembly method called monolithic module assembly (MMA) which can eradicate the huge challenge of associating the cells together. By using this module fabrication method, the encapsulation losses can be significantly reduced to less than 1%.
Applied’ experts will discuss the significant techniques that enabled the manufacture of 1.4m2 panels with 10% conversion efficiency, inferring the production of 5.7m2 panels with more than 10.5% efficiency. The company will also provide information derived from two studies conducted in Arizona and Singapore. The data reveals that under real-time situations, crystalline silicon modules have showed 8% enhancement in energy output, thereby bringing down the electricity cost. Hence the combined benefits of higher efficiency, minimum production and installation costs and increased energy output will help Applied’ global clients to ease their utility scale installations.
Applied’ recent smart- control systems provide higher flexibility and superior product quality, thereby enabling the cell producers to achieve a higher output. The smart- control system incorporates SmartFactory software, which offers inexpensive automation solutions that can effectively optimize the factory workflow. This manufacturing execution software can be installed in the factory within 60 days and it encompasses pre- organized workflows for PV production which can be scaled up on further business expansion. Applied’ E3 technology interacts directly with all manufacturing devices and can also perform instantaneous error detection and run-to-run process turning, thereby helping to reduce idle time and enhance the processing ability without adding further cost to the capital expenditure.
Applied has a global architecture with various service methodologies like advanced systems support, spare parts management etc to assist their clients for operating at an unmatched performance resulting in maximum output.
Source: http://www.appliedmaterials.com