SunFab thin film

Today Applied Materials’ CEO Mike Splinter took part in a well-known global thought-leader forum: The Aspen Ideas Festival. Dedicated to the notion that bringing the major policy, business and social leaders of the world together can lead to more meaningful discussion and action, Applied is proud to be able to take part in such a prestigious event. Specifically, we’re excited to connect with people who, just like us, want to create a cleaner, brighter future for everyone.

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.

KSK Surya Photovoltaic Venture, Private Limited (KSK), a subsidiary of KSK Power Ventur plc, a leading independent power provider in India, announced that it has signed a contract with Applied Materials to purchase two Applied SunFab™ Thin Film Lines for a solar manufacturing facility to be built in India, along with a five-year service contract. The KSK group of companies addresses the power supply deficit in India by building

Applied Ventures recently hosted the Cleantech Special Interest Group (SIG), a cadre of cleantech investors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and Eric Wesoff of Greentech Media. The group toured Applied's facility and viewed the Sunfab PECVD tool chamber, the world’s most powerful solar glass module as well as got a peek at the AKT Gen 10 display glass – the largest in production today.

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.

There are many misconceptions about solar energy; the most prevalent is probably cost. In part, this is because people aren’t aware of how much solar technology has progressed in recent years, but it’s also because many people don’t understand what makes up their monthly energy bill.