Chris O’Brien, Head of Market Development at Oerlikon Solar, talks to us about the company’s new ThinFab, which reduces the manufacturing cost of thin-film silicon modules to a record breaking € 0.50/Wp, with 10 per cent stabilised efficiency. It all adds-up to a very competitive package…
PES: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us at PES once again. How has business been recently? We note that the big news for you is the launch of ThinFab…
Christopher O’Brien: We’re seeing growing interest in our ThinFab solution, and have most recently announced the first order for a 120 MW turnkey ThinFab line just last month.
ThinFab is our latest generation turnkey manufacturing line for the production of thin-film silicon PV panels using Oerlikon Solar’s high efficiency Micromorph technology. A host of equipment and product improvements have led to dramatic improvements in the competitiveness of ThinFab. The average efficiency produced is 10 per cent, and the estimated production cost is just €0.50/W. This cost is competitive with current and future market prices for PV, and the cost will continue to decrease as a result of Oerlikon Solar’s ongoing investment in further technology improvements.
PES: You’ve reduced the manufacturing cost of thin-film silicon modules to a record-breaking Euro 0.50 Wp by refining a number of processes. But where have you been able to make the biggest savings?
CO’B: Some of the key improvements that contribute to the new cost structure are increased equipment throughput (roughly 2X prior generation), improved product design (e.g. integration of advanced reflector foil to increase efficiency), and reduced material costs (as a result of ongoing supply chain negotiations and product design improvements).
