• Order exceeding € 7 million for several systems in the thin-film division received
• Long-time cooperation partner continues to expand CIGS research
• First results already presented in the course of the “German-South African Year of Science”
Kahl am Main, July 30, 2012 – SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS) reports an additional order in the Solar segment. A long-time cooperation partner for the development of new, more efficient CIGS thin-film solar modules ordered several machines for more than € 7 million for vacuum coating, selenization as well as wet-chemical processes. With this investment, Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property (Pty) Limited (PTIP) extends its activities in the development of efficient CIGS thin-film solar modules.
PTIP is a spin-off from the University of Johannesburg and already successfully operates research machines for the development of CIGS thin-film cells in its newly established research and development facility in Techno Park close to Stellenbosch in South Africa. SINGULUS has cooperated successfully with the scientists of the University of Johannesburg for some years and already has delivered components in 2011. Various companies are currently using PTIP’s R&D results and patents worldwide. The activities as well as the results were already presented by the PTIP in this year’s April in the course of the opening of the “German-South Africa Year of Science” in Cape Town.
“Climate Change” is one of the core themes of this Year. PTIP intends to further expand the research facilities in Stellenbosch and to commission a development and laboratory line for CIGS modules in the original commercial size of 1200 x 600 mm. The development efforts are in the limelight of the South African government. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) recently supported the further expansion of PTIP’s operations in Techno Park and acquired substantial shareholding in PTIP. Additional financial support was obtained from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology.
Prof. Vivian Alberts, CEO of PTIP, comments: “The support by the IDC and TIA confirms the goal of the South African government to support locally developed IP and to boost alternative and renewable energies, such as photovoltaic. With this support PTIP is now in the position to invest in proven and well engineered equipment and process plants. We are now able to industrially and efficiently implement our developed process with the machines of our partner SINGULUS. The goal is to set up a production line for CIGS thin-film modules in South Africa as soon as possible. The European Investment Bank already announced to support this project with € 40 million.”
Dr. Stefan Rinck, Chief Executive Officer of the SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, adds: “This is a great project and we are pleased to have already supplied four important process steps in a CIGS line, namely vacuum coating, selenization as well as two process steps in the wet-chemical area. PTIP’s trust is based on the excellent R & D results from the start, which were achieved with our equipment. We expect this to also translate to additional expansion stages as well.”
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.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Hanauer Landstrasse 103,
D-63796 Kahl/Main, ISIN: DE0007238909, WKN: 723890
