• Workshop for new concepts to increase efficiency and to reduce costs
• European Society of Thin Films (EFDS) brings together developers, manufacturers and suppliers
• SINGULUS hosts discussion on challenges of thin-film solar production
The European Society of Thin Films (EFDS), in conjunction with SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS), organized a workshop entitled “Challenges in the upscaling of thin-film solar cell production” at SINGULUS’ headquarters in Kahl am Main on June 21. Current and future challenges in the production of thin-film solar cells and modules were the key topic of the presentations given by members of leading research institutes, equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Due to the cost pressure in the thin-film solar industry, the participants focused on cost-effective production technologies and methods of inline quality assurance. In addition, new material and module concepts with the potential to further increase the efficiency of thin-film modules were discussed.
The workshop featured a cross-disciplinary discussion on possibilities to increase the efficiency of solar cells based on copper, indium, gallium, sulphur and selenium (CIGS) and to reduce investment and manufacturing costs at the same time. The sessions have been chaired by the members of the Programme Committee: Dr Paul Mogensen, AVANCIS GmbH & Co. KG, Torgau, Dr Ludwig van Loyen, EFDS, Dresden, Bernhard Dimmler, Manz AG, Schwäbisch Hall, and Dr Peter Wohlfart, Head of Research and Development, SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG.
Transfer of new revolutionary Technologies – “from Lab to Fab”
Thin-film photovoltaics have to compete not only with other solar cell technologies but also with fossil and other renewable energy sources. This requires the development of new production technologies that increase efficiency and productivity. The interdisciplinary debate revealed that there are promising technology approaches in research labs that now need to be transferred into industrial production. This transfer “from lab to fab” can only be achieved by a cooperation of cell manufacturers, equipment suppliers and institutes, whereat equipment suppliers play a major role to enable these revolutionary developments.
Dr. Ing. Stefan Rinck, CEO of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG: “As an innovative development partner, it is our goal to support the transfer of new technologies for high-efficient solar cells into industrial production. So we are delighted to take this cross-disciplinary debate forward along with the European Society of Thin Films and leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers.”
Profile EFDS:
The EFDS (European Society of Thin Films) is a non-profitmaking organization active in the field of thin-film technology. EFDS’ activities involve promoting the researching and application of the fundamentals of vacuum technology and process engineering in the area of “thin films”.
Profile SINGULUS:
SINGULUS continues to expand its activities in the business segments Solar and Optical Disc. The goal is to attain a leading position in the silicon and thin-film solar technology as a machine supplier as well as a development partner for new cell concepts and to maintain the market leadership in the Optical Disc segment for production equipment for the manufacturing of dual-layer Blu-ray Discs. The business activities in the division Semiconductor are extensively strengthened in the course of the apparent growing market for MRAM semiconductor technology. In addition, the company reviews other sectors and work areas, where new market segments can be developed on the basis of the present know-how in the area of vacuum coating.
