AIXTRON AG, a leading provider
of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry, announced today that
in the first quarter 2009 the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) in
Taiwan placed a follow-up order for an AIX 2800G4 Planetary Reactor system for
MOCVD growth of Germanium / III-V based solar cells.
Like the previously ordered system, this MOCVD tool is to be delivered in the
15x4 inch wafer configuration with options to utilize up to 8 inch wafers. It
will be shipped to INER in the second quarter of 2009.
Both reactors are to provide materials for the High Concentration Photovoltaic
(HCPV) Research Program.
Dr. Cherng-Tsong Kuo, Project Leader of the High Concentration Photovoltaic
System Research and Development Project, comments: “Thanks to the approval
of a second MOCVD equipment budget, we are in position to acquire a second AIXTRON
AIX 2800G4 system, which will allow us to separate development from pilot manufacturing.
AIXTRON MOCVD tools have established an excellent reputation for the manufacture
of solar cell materials. The utility of these tools is backed up by the local
AIXTRON team which has been responsive at all times and we anticipate adding
to our good working relationship in the months ahead”.
For a number of years INER has been active in developing technology for the
fabrication of III-V solar cells, modules, and solar tracking systems. In collaboration
with local companies INER has already built a working prototype that demonstrated
energy conversion efficiency over 35%. It is now accumulating the epitaxy manufacturing
capabilities required for production of solar cells that will have energy conversion
efficiencies of 45%.
Posted May 18th, 2009