Jan 20 2010
Oerlikon Solar, a leader in the thin film silicon solar equipment sector, will be presenting its technology at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Oerlikon Solar with its Micromorph factories intends to reach production costs at grid parity thus equalizing the cost of solar energy with that of fossil fuel-generated energy in a number of locations. Oerlikon Solar will also be ready to offer its customers an improved design that will be posses the ability to produce modules for $0.70/W.
Jurg Henz, CEO of Oerlikon Solar, remarked that the company plans to make solar energy economically feasible throughout the world. Henz stated that Abu Dhabi is a key market to help the company accomplish its goal. The United Arab Emirates has also contributed by bringing thin film PV manufacturing to the forefront.
Though 90 percent of the United Arab Emirates established oil reserves are in Abu Dhabi, the province intends to find other new sources of revenues that are beyond oil. By the year 2020, Abu Dhabi plans to generate seven percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources.
Oerlikon Solar, by offering PV module production solutions, is ready to address this vital growth market. The thin film silicon solar technology from Oerlikon Solar is beneficial in comparison with other thin film PV technologies and traditional crystalline silicon. Better performance at high temperatures, no polysilicon price risk, zero toxicity issues and higher energy yields are the benefits offered by Oerlikon Solar’ thin film silicon solar technology.
In comparison with other solar technologies, the thin film silicon solar technology from Oerlikon Solar also offers long-term advantages as a result of long-term efficiency gain opportunities. The company was able drive down the cost of modules by 25 percent by increasing the production efficiency in 2009. By the end of the year 2010, the company is aiming for another 30 percent cost reduction, allowing customers to supply solar electricity across the world at grid-competitive prices.
Oerlikon Solar is the first thin film silicon technology provider to have received the IEC/TUV Rheinland master certification. This certification is provided for the company’s thin film silicon solar technologies including Micromorph and Amorphous. This certification provides the guarantee that the modules produced by the customers of Oerlikon Solar are manufactured with high standards capable of withstanding all kinds of environmental conditions.
Source: http://www.oerlikon.com/solar/