Jul 30 2010
Manz Automation AG and Würth Solar GmbH & Co. KG provided background information on their strategic alliance in the field of CIGS production technology.
Manz automation AG, a world leading technology supplier in the photovoltaic and flat panel display industry has signed a “know-how licensing and cooperation contract” with Würth Solar giving Manz the exclusive right to use the CIGS production technology of Würth Solar. Manz is now the only supplier worldwide able to offer an integrated and fully productive production line for CIGS thin-film modules that can be operated economically.
The capital required for the acquisition of the licence is, according to Dieter Manz, CEO of Manz Automations AG, a one time payment of 30 million Euros that was made when the contract was signed followed by a further 20 million Euros payable before the first CIGSfab goes into operation. This will be followed by turnover based payments calculated according to megawatt sold of production capacity. The transaction will be financed by own capital reserves, external capital as well as the cash flow resulting form the extended business model.
Technology Tried and Tested: Highly Efficient and Maximum Investment Security At the press conference Dieter Manz announced that “in future Manz Automation will be offering CIGS production lines for thin-film modules with the highest degree of efficiency currently at 12.8 percent on an aperture surface of 600 x 1.200 mm”. The company located in Reutlingen is building on the successful technology of Würth Solar, a pioneer and innovation leader in its field. Moreover, Manz is securing exclusive access to the tried and tested CIGS production technology of Würth Solar. By integrating the current production line of Würth Solar, Manz will become the only supplier to have access to a 30 MW reference factory which has been successfully operating on a 24/7 basis since 2006. In addition, Manz Automation is set to benefit from the partnership in place between Würth Solar and the “Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg” (ZSW), a scientific center for solar and hydrogen research. The alliance with Würth Solar grants Manz access to the results of research carried out by ZSW on CIGS glass modules.
“By bundling know-how in a cooperation contract unique to the world we will be able to deliver fully integrated production lines to thin-film producers. In future, these will boast the lowest costs ever in the manufacture of turnkey thin-film lines. We will also present our customers with credible technology as well as a roadmap of the costs involved. This guarantees maximum protection on investment in new thin-film factories. We will bring the CIGS technology to a breakthrough, and open up an enormous market potential”, commented Dieter Manz, CEO of Manz Automation AG.
In addition to the years of knowledge in the development and production of thin-film Würth Solar is contributing to the cooperation, Manz Automation will draw on 20 man-years of Würth’s ramp up expertise and assistance in all stages from planning to realization as well as the initial operation of production lines. The experience of the trained staff at Würth Solar will alleviate the implementation of the project considerably. The CISfab in Schwäbisch Hall will also be available in the future for the further development of production technology and the qualification of new processes and materials.
Unique Cooperation: Manz Automation Makes CIGS an Industry Standard The management of both companies involved agree on the enormous impact of the agreement entered. “A cooperation between a world leading mechanical engineering company, a leading module manufacturer in CIGS thin-film as well as the leading research institute ZSW in Baden-Württemberg is, in this form, unique and will assist in the breakthrough of CIGS technology. We are convinced that this cooperation will enable us to tap into enormous market potential”, said Dieter Manz.
Source: http://www.manz-automation.com/