24th Annual PVSEC

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel prices have fallen about 40% since the middle of last year, largely as a result of the improved supply of polysilicon which goes into crystalline-silicon-based panels. When the industry was constrained by limited production of polysilicon, the price reached over $300/kg. Now, the cost has fallen well below $100/kg and supplies are readily available for mass production — driving a continuing decline in panel prices. Result: more Sun power for less money.

At the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (PVSEC) and Exhibition, to be held in Hamburg, Germany from the 21 to 25 of September 2009, Applied will highlight its solutions aimed at further reducing the cost of solar panels. We are delivering the technology to produce higher efficiency cells in higher productivity environments, solutions that enable not only rooftop scale but also utility scale solar power. During PVSEC, we will showcase our leadership solar technology from SunFab Thin Film production lines, to crystalline-silicon equipment and service and automation manufacturing solutions.

Stop by our booth and attend our conference proceedings as we share the technical and manufacturing improvements made over the past year. Crystalline silicon papers will include studies with Geneva Institute of Technology on fluid mechanics of wire sawing as well as joint research with the University of Konstanz on passivation films. We will also be presenting improvements on next generation metallization technology by Baccini and explain how laser technology enables back contact formation for higher efficiency cells. Our SunFab group will present large area thin film cells and modules technology using AKT PECVD cluster tools.

As this year’s conference will no doubt demonstrate, advancements in the solar industry are gaining momentum as the focus on cleaner sources for energy generation take center stage. Thomas Edison’s vision of using the Sun’s energy to power a significant portion of our electricity needs has never been closer.