Moser Baer, the global
technology company, today announced that its photovoltaic subsidiary is ready
for production of thin film photovoltaic modules at its manufacturing plant
in Greater Noida. This follows final acceptance test (FAT) certification of
Moser Baer Photovoltaic's SunFab™ Thin Film Line supplied by Applied
Materials, Inc., the California-based nanomanufacturing technology solutions
provider. The certification verifies that the SunFab line has met all manufacturing,
module efficiency and yield specifications.
Moser Baer awarded Applied Materials' SunFab Thin Film Line with final acceptance test certification and is ready to begin solar module production. (Photo: Business Wire)
This is a major milestone for both Moser Baer and Applied Materials representing
the start of production of thin film modules by Moser Baer, which was Applied's
first SunFab customer. The 40MW capacity line is the largest thin film solar
line in India. This single junction SunFab line has demonstrated the highest
production capacity to date for manufacturing the world's largest (2.2m
x 2.6m) solar modules.
Commenting on the development, Deepak Puri, the Chairman and Managing Director
of Moser Baer, said: “Moser Baer is pursuing a differentiated strategy
in the high growth photovoltaic business and launching production of the SunFab
thin film solar module line is of great significance in our effort to bring
the solar energy dream to fruition. The thin film line will help us significantly
scale up our manufacturing capacity and supply thin film solar modules to our
customers. The close relationship we have with Applied has enabled us to quickly
ramp up our Greater Noida facility.”
Mike Splinter, Applied Materials' Chief Executive Officer, said: “We
are very pleased to have achieved this key customer sign-off for our thin film
production line, the first SunFab line in India. We are especially grateful
to Moser Baer, our first SunFab customer, for its commitment to our approach
in driving down the cost of solar electricity using 5.7m2 substrates.”
The Applied SunFab Thin Film Line is a fully-integrated PV module production
line that delivers leading-edge solar manufacturing capability using advanced
engineering, process equipment, automation and other key supporting technologies.
PV modules produced by Applied's SunFab line have been certified by the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), verifying that they meet stringent
performance and safety specifications under challenging environmental conditions.
“This important collaboration established the first advanced thin film
solar facility in India that builds on Applied's proven technology from
the semiconductor and LCD* industries,” said Dr. Rajiv Arya, CEO, Moser
Baer Photovoltaic. “Using our manufacturing expertise and Applied's
advanced SunFab solar technology, we will provide the innovative PV products
that can significantly reduce electric power and utility costs and provide a
cost-effective option for clean and renewable energy.”
“We are excited to see how rapidly this factory achieved 40MW capacity
production with high yields—a tribute to great teamwork between the companies,”
said Dr. Randhir Thakur, senior vice president and general manager, SunFab Thin
Film Solar and Display Business Group at Applied Materials. “We attribute
much of our success in this project to the strong presence we have had in India
for more than five years, during which time we have built a solid support infrastructure
with the capability to implement complex advanced projects on schedule.”