Product Briefing Outline: Applied Materials has introduced the ‘Applied E3’ advanced equipment and process control solution, intended to be a comprehensive factory automation (FA) software package for improving the productivity and reducing the costs of semiconductor, flat panel display and photovoltaic solar cell manufacturing. The modular packages utilize proprietary algorithms that are claimed to boost process capability by >30 percent, reduce unscheduled downtime, and shorten cycle time to achieve up to a 20 percent increase in overall equipment effectiveness. Applied Materials said the system has already been employed by multiple major manufacturers and is currently being used in volume production.
Applied Materials has announced that it has won its first customer in Italy for its ‘SunFab’ 5.7m2 turnkey thin-film line. The new customer is Moncada Energy Group s.r.l., a leading private Italian producer of renewable energy currently using wind farm technology. Moncada is expected to build a 40MW plant in Campofranco, Sicily.
EMCORE Corporation has said that it has received two definitive supply agreements for solar cell receivers in June 2008 with a total value of approximately $29 million, which include advance deposits for production fast tracking.
According to the latest figures compiled by The Cleantech Group, venture capital invested in most types of clean energy markets reached a new record amount for the second quarter of 2008 at $2 billion, surpassing the previous record of $1.8 billion set in the third quarter of 2007.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Applied Materials Operations Center at Changi North Industrial Park in Singapore took place earlier today, and saw the attendance of several Applied Materials executives, including Mike Splinter, company President and CEO. Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board Lim Siong Guan and U.S. Ambassador Patricia Herbold were also present for the ceremony.
Canadian Solar, Inc. has inked five new sales contracts totalling 14.9MW over the past three weeks. The Italy- and Czech Republic-based companies, who will receive a total of 14.9MW of modules from Canadian Solar in the second half of 2008, are: Arco Energy, AC Service, Ravano Green Power and Albatec in Italy and WSW in the Czech Republic.
Frost & Sullivan believes that the Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) market is set for continued growth in the coming years but will need to resolve issues over aesthetics and finance and overall ownership. The market research firm said that the whole photovoltaics market saw sales of €6.24 billion in 2007, resulting in a growth rate of 46 percent. The emerging BIPV market saw sales of €149 million, an annual growth rate of 33 percent.
Oerlikon Solar has secured business from two new thin-film start-ups. Spanish firm Gadir Solar SA has ordered a complete turnkey a-Si thin film production line, capable of producing over 300,000 panels per year and China-based Chint Solar, has ordered Oerlikon’s ‘micromorph’ R&D line and first-phase production equipment. The equipment will be delivered in 2008 with ramps expected in 2009.
Advent Solar, Inc. has enlisted the entrepreneurial skills of Martin Hermann to take up the role of Chief Strategic Officer. Mr. Hermann brings over 17 years of entrepreneurial and management experience to the role, which will see him assume responsibility for Advent Solar’s business development, planning, strategy and growth.
AT&S and Solland Solar have announced their intention to collaborate on the development of a concept for solar cell applications. AT&S, the printed circuit board producer, and Solland Solar, manufacturer of standard and back-contact solar cells, have entered into the development partnership in an effort to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of solar cells.
