A leading European crystalline solar cell manufacturer places for the first
time a large order for multiple SOLARIS systems. The SOLARIS, which offers various
advantages with its revolutionary coating technology was introduced to the market
just a few weeks ago. The customer will use the SOLARIS from Oerlikon
Systems to significantly increase their production capacity in North America.
The system is set for delivery during the coming year. "Our original strategy
of offering a compact, cost-effective platform with single wafer handling is
proving to be a very popular solution with Photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer,."
says Andreas Dill, Head of Oerlikon Systems.
So far the core competence of Oerlikon Systems was mainly on Semiconductor
and Coating Technologies. After the realignment, the focus is now diversifying
into the promising nanotechnology applications. With this significant order
for SOLARIS the Business Unit has made an important inroad into the PV crystalline
cell manufacturing industry. Oerlikon has with this success established itself
as pivotal in the PV industry as a technology and equipment manufacturer: with
Oerlikon Solar for the Thin-Film technology and with Oerlikon Systems for the
crystalline technology. "Both processes complement one another with their
respective fields of application. For the Oerlikon Group the advantage and benefit
is to be represented in both growth markets with its leading technology",
says Thomas Babacan, Chief Operating Officer at Oerlikon.
Low 'cost of ownership'
SOLARIS was designed for front and backside coating of crystalline silicon solar
cells using clean PVD sputtering technology. Its multi-layer capability allows
passivation and SiN coating on the front side as well as coating of the backside
with various materials. Its very small footprint (3.3 x 2.2 m) and easy integration
into existing production lines give SOLARIS a remarkably low 'cost of
ownership'.
"For this client, the SOLARIS production solution provides a big step
toward cost-effective production of solar cells. Ultimately, it will help PV
technology - and the industry - achieve grid parity," explains Andreas
Dill, Head of Oerlikon Systems.
Counting on innovation
The SOLARIS order was preceded by thorough evaluation tests, where the system's
flexibility and reliably high output compared favorably with industry standard
SiN coating solutions. "In going from concept to fully functional systems
in only 24 months, our development and assembly teams drew from the innovative
talent across the Oerlikon Group to get the new SOLARIS system to market quickly,"
adds Oerlikon COO Thomas Babacan. The current success in the PV market is only
the start for SOLARIS. In fact, the Oerlikon development teams are finalizing
further mass-production solutions for touch screen panels, thermoelectric devices,
and generators or thin film batteries (for the newest energy storage solutions).