Applied Materials,
Inc. announced today that it has signed a five-year contract with ENN Solar
Energy Co., Ltd. to support ENN's solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing
facility in Langfang, China, which features an Applied SunFab™ Thin Film
Line. Through its highly flexible SunFab™ Performance Service program,
Applied will provide ENN with continuous operating cost reductions while enabling
optimal performance from the SunFab™ production line at a predictable
cost that scales with factory loading. Applied's SunFab Performance Service
program has been selected by all of Applied's customers currently producing
single and tandem junction modules on SunFab lines.
“ENN sees joining with Applied Global Services as a powerful strategy
to optimize the return on our investment in our SunFab line,” said Dr.
Rick Wan, General Manager of ENN Solar. “This agreement will allow us
to replace much of our fixed cost infrastructure with a variable alternative
that can flex as the market changes. This flexibility will free us to focus
on successfully delivering high-performance, low-cost modules to our customers,
helping them win in the marketplace."
“We believe the combination of the revolutionary SunFab Thin Film Line
and SunFab Performance Service delivers the fastest path to the lowest cost-per-watt
and maximized megawatt output,” said Charlie Pappis, vice president and
general manager of Applied Global Services. “The fact that all of our
SunFab customers producing modules have selected SunFab Performance Service
for ongoing support is a strong testament to the value proposition we offer.”
Under the agreement, Applied will leverage its dedicated, world-class service
infrastructure to provide ENN's SunFab Thin Film Line with preventive
and corrective maintenance, spare parts management, and analytical services.
Using an unmatched range of engineering, logistics and automation software technologies,
highly experienced local support experts will optimize equipment performance,
maximize manufacturing output and assure consistent cell characteristics. In
addition, Applied and ENN will work together to develop continuous improvement
programs that aim to increase module efficiency and lower operating costs.
ENN Solar Energy – a member of ENN Group – is a leader in the manufacturing
of large-size thin film module products. The company produces and markets high
performance silicon thin film modules of up to 5.7m2 per panel at low cost.
Focusing on technology innovation and the environmental improvement, ENN Solar's
mission is to make clean renewable energy more affordable and available worldwide.
Learn more at www.ennsolar.com.
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.