World’s Most Advanced Solar R&D Center

Today in Xi’an, China Applied Materials opened its Solar Technology Center to a crowd of customers, local dignitaries and executives. We are proud to offer this new capability to our customers who will be able to visit the facility and see demonstrations as well as work on our latest equipment for thin film and crystalline silicon.

The ability for customers to come here and work on the equipment before they install it in their own factories is a unique time-to-market advantage that we think will help them rapidly implement our technology in their fabs around the world.

A truly impressive facility, with more than 400,000 square feet, shows what Applied brings to the solar industry: industrialization and the ability to scale production in order to lower cost. Complete with state-of-the-art automation and factory controls, the facility also showcases our entire SunFab line and crystalline silicon tools.

And we have ample room to add further capabilities as we expand our technology offerings.

Will we make solar modules here? While the center has the capability to produce fully processed solar modules it is currently designed for test and research purposes, and it is not a production facility.

For 25 years we’ve been a committed partner to China’s technology community, and we look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship. As China’s solar infrastructure grows there are an increasing number of materials and equipment suppliers based in China who we can work with to qualify new sources and opportunities in our Technology Center. Local universities, of which there are more than 40, can also be recognized as an extension of our research capabilities in Xi’an.

This is an exciting day for the solar industry, particularly in China. This flagship facility serves as an example of the great progress made so far in China in preparation for the rapid growth expected in the solar industry fueled by its commitment to renewable power.

For more information visit the Solar Technology Center media kit.