· First machine to be delivered in Q1/2014
· Technologic cooperation for the manufacturing of highly efficient crystalline silicon cells further expanded
· Requirements of the Chinese government with respect to cell efficiency met
Kahl am Main, September 12, 2013 SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS), supplier of production equipment for silicon and thin-film solar cells, signed a framework agreement with M•Cells, one of the globally-leading solar cell producers from China, for the delivery of up to 16 vacuum coating machines. The contract between M•Cells and SINGULUS includes an option for the purchase of SINGULAR XP machines in the double-digit million range. The SINGULAR XP vacuum coating equipment is intended for the rear side passivation of crystalline PERC solar cells in the production of 500 MW highly efficient multi-cells. The delivery for the first machine to China is already scheduled for the 1st quarter 2014.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES and M•Cells signed a respective framework agreement at SINGULUS’ site in Kahl am Main on September 12, 2013. For Dr.-Ing. Stefan Rinck, CEO of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES, and the Vice General Manager of M•Cells, Mr. Ximing Zhou, the cooperation in the area of solar cell production is an explicit goal for both companies.
The vacuum coating machine SINGULAR XP is intended for the passivation of cells’ rear side at M•Cells’ factory in China. The SINGULAR XP is specifically designed for the production capacity of a typical cell production line. In addition, SINGULUS’ machine provides the advantage that the two layer systems required for the rear side passivation, aluminum oxide (AIOx) and silicon nitride (SiNx) can be applied without discontinuation of the vacuum. Due to its compact assembly the SINGULAR XP machine is ideally suited for the integration as an upgrade for existing cell production lines.
With the further increase of the present cell efficiency at M•Cells through the use of the SINGULAR XP, M•Cells’ competitiveness in the solar industry also improves. This should meet the Chinese government’s requirement of an efficiency of polycrystalline solar cells of at least 18 % in the future.
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Rinck comments: “The increase in efficiency of solar cells is extremely important. We are convinced that we will be able to combine the latest and cutting-edge technology from Germany with M•Cells’ know-how for a mutual success.” The Vice General Manager of M•Cells, Mr. Ximing Zhou, adds: “M•Cells has already reached important milestones in the area of multi-cell efficiency and I firmly believe that together with SINGULUS we will make rapid progress for M•Cells to continue its leading position in the international solar cell market.”
Background PERC:
The trend in the solar industry towards ever thinner wafers for crystalline solar cells with higher levels of efficiency at the same time requires an improved surface passivation of the cell rear side. In 2012 SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES cooperated with the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hameln (ISFH) for the further development of the cell technology. In this cooperation it was possible to enhance the efficiency of screen printing silicon solar cells from the customary range of 17.0 % to 18.5 % in the PV industry to a record level of 20.1 %.
Background M•Cells
Zhejiang Fortune Photovoltaic Co., Ltd. (well-known as M•Cells) is one of the leading international solar cells manufacturers and specialized in research & development, manufacturing and marketing of solar cells, module and photovoltaic power system made of mono and poly silicon.
M•Cells covers 90 thousand square meters and have 154 million Yuan registered capital with total investment of 680 million Yuan. Its annual solar cells production capacity of the first workshop reaches 500MW. Currently, the second project is ongoing. M•Cells takes a leading place in multicrystalline solar cells, the efficiency has reached a high level close to 18%.
M•Cells is in compliance with the principle that technology comes first and it meets customers’ need with first-class products, superior service and continuous improvement. Through accurate positioning and strong development, the company got the certification of ISO9001: 2008 quality management system and National High-tech Enterprise.
Profile SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES:
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES develops innovative technologies for efficient production processes, which only make use of resources conservatively. New production technology combined with sustainable processes and the use of novel materials can decouple the use of resources from economic growth in the long-term. SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES’ innovative power and competitiveness are strengthened by these new technologic developments.
With its Optical Disc segment SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is the market leader for Blu-ray as well as CD and DVD production equipment. As the only engineering company worldwide SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES today already provides the machine technology for three-layer Blu-ray Discs with a storage volume of about 100 GB.
In the Solar division SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is a recognized supplier for new machines concepts and production processes for crystalline and thin-film solar cells, which increase the efficiency of solar cells and reduce their production costs. SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES establishes itself as a development partner and machine supplier for technologies enabling a sustainable energy provision on the basis of renewable energies.
In the Semiconductor segment SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES focuses its activities on the vacuum coating of wafers with ultra thin layers for the production of MRAM memory, thin-film write/read heads and other semiconductor applications.
To strengthen and further develop the existing business areas the company pursued the targeted development of new products and application areas based on its core competencies in order to open new markets with this. This strategic further development of the existing product portfolio by internal measures is in the focus in the business year 2013. At the same time reasonable acquisition opportunities to strengthen the sustainable development of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES are still reviewed.
