Photovoltaic electric power may light up homes sooner than once believed. Moser Baer India Ltd., selected Applied Materials, Inc., to develop and install the world’s first generation (Gen) 8.5 Thin Film Solar Module Production Line in New Delhi, India. Its expected completion is in the second half of calendar 2007. The line will manufacture photovoltaic solar modules using ultra-large 5.7m2 substrates (2.2 x 2.6 m). These glass panels are four times bigger than today’s largest solar panel substrates.
The contract between Moser Baer and Applied is for a fully-integrated production line including CVD1, PVD2, laser scribing, factory software, automation, and other supporting technologies required to establish a solar panel manufacturing facility with a rated initial capacity of 40 MW per year. “It will be the first truly modern solar facility in India using semiconductor manufacturing processes,” said Mr. Ravi Khanna, CEO, Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Business. The Gen 8.5 Line is flexible; production output can be configured for final product sizes from 1.4 to 5.7 m2. Current thin film production lines are configured for panel sizes less than 1.5 m2.
“We are focused on developing and manufacturing innovative products that significantly reduce electric power and utility costs and provide a cost-effective option for clean renewable energy,” continued Khanna. By 2009, Moser plans to step-up its 40-MW plant to a full 200-MW solar panel facility.
“This contract signals a critical milestone for the solar industry in the drive to reduce the cost of solar cells by using larger substrates,” said Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied’s New Business and New Products Group.
Moser Baer India Ltd.
www.moserbaer.com
Applied Materials, Inc.
www.appliedmaterials.com
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Filed Under: Semiconductor manufacture