Applied Materials, Inc. today
announced it was named Green Energy Innovator of the Year for its
pioneering work on the Applied SunFab Thin Film Line, at a gala
presenting the prestigious 9th Annual Platts Global Energy Awards.
“Applied Materials is focused on lowering the cost
of solar photovoltaic generated energy through the application of
nanomanufacturing technologies,” said Mark Pinto, Senior Vice
President, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager Energy and
Environmental Solutions. “The nominees in the category of
Green Energy Innovator were international in breadth and included
leading global green energy innovators. Amongst such competition, I am
pleased to receive this acknowledgement and proud of the great work our
teams around the world are doing to help make solar energy an
affordable solution to the world’s power needs.”
The award highlighted the revolutionary SunFab, the
world’s first and only integrated production line for
manufacturing thin film silicon solar modules using 5.7 square meter
glass panels. These ultra-large substrates, sized at 2.2m x 2.6m, are
four times bigger than today’s typical thin film solar
modules. Key to the SunFab’s success is that it can be
replicated by customers around the globe to rapidly establish solar
panel manufacturing capacity and achieve lower production cost per watt
to drive down the cost of solar electricity.
“Our judges’ panel was impressed by
Applied Materials’ demonstration of an innovative solution to
an important global challenge and with this award we are pleased to
recognize their commitment to environmental responsibility and the
advancement of solar power around the world,” said Platts
President Victoria Chu Pao.
The Platts awards showcase extraordinary accomplishments by
energy businesses and individuals worldwide. Finalists and winners are
determined by an independent international panel of judges. Platts, a
leading global energy information service, is a division of the McGraw
Hill companies.