Introduction

Oerlikon Solar is the world leader in end-to-end manufacturing solutions for thin film silicon photovoltaic modules.  The evidence for the company’s leadership position spans both technical and operational vistas:

- Recognition  by VLSI Research as the #1 Turn Key factory provider for the years 2007 and 2008

- Winning of the  prestigious cell award for Best Thin Film Manufacturing Technology for its innovative KAI 1200 PE CVD System

-  Its global footprint of manufacturing projects

Oerlikon Solar is part of the Swiss based Oerlikon Group, a diversified technology company with over 100 years of history manufacturing technology enabling solutions.

History of Excellence

Oerlikon Solar is at the forefront of thin film technology manufacturing. The Company’s efforts began in 1986 with the founding of the PV Lab at IMT under the leadership of Dr. Arvind Shah in 1986 at IMT at University of Neuchatel and continues to this day with the deployment of the FAB 1200 integrated manufacturing solution and full scale research and development facility in Trubbach, Switzerland.

Visit the Oerlikon website and watch the informative video "Experience the future of solar power"

Intellectual Property

Oerlikon Solar is the holder of key manufacturing technology patents (over 200 patents in the portfolio with another 300 in the application process.)  The most notable patent covers  Micromorph® technology, the leading edge thin film silicon manufacturing process (US Patent No. US 6,309,906 corr. WO 97/24769 and WO 97/24753 ”PV cell and method of producing that cell“), which our customers receive a non-exclusive world wide license to use.

Significantly Improved Technology

Amorphous silicon technology is well characterized and understood. Oerlikon Solar’s approach to the technology allows for low cost, high volume manufacturing of reliable PV modules.  No such technology is currently employed in the Untied States, but a firm global operational track record exists in other countries.  The combination of low manufacturing cost and efficiency ensures that Micromorph® technology will be a leading contender in the American  renewable energy portfolio.

FAB 1200 Highlights

- Upgradeable- the line concept is designed to allow for maximum flexibility, allowing customers to update technology as the state of the art evolves while maintaining focus on manufacturing cost reduction.

- Innovative Line concept-  Oerlikon Solar’s line automation concept allows for maximum up time because it leverages a cassette concept proven in other thin film manufacturing technologies, like semiconductor and thin magnetic head data storage.  This allows the manufacturing line to continue to produce while other portions of the line test new materials or undergo maintenance.

- Automated technology- the line concept is highly automated. This means that skilled jobs are created to maintain and operate the line as well as ensuring that advantage is not granted to low cost labor regions. Labor cost is NOT a driver with this technology, helping to ensure long term competitiveness in a global environment.

- Lowest manufacturing cost in the TF silicon industry:  Oerlikon Solar maintains a firm commitment to ensuring that PV solutions can compete with conventional forms of electricity generation.  Factories built in 2011 will enjoy less than $1.00 per watt peak (Wp) manufacturing cost.