The most important platform for solar industry and science worldwide, the EU PVSEC this year hosted a total of 999 international exhibitors on an exhibition floor-space of 80,000 square meters and welcomed over 40,000 visitors from more than 100 different countries.
With its wide range of innovative products along the value chain of silicon to module, Schmid Group again confirmed its leadership in PV production technology. A whole new range of innovative technologies, processes and equipment was presented and received with great interest, enjoying a wide-spread positive response from the trade audience.
In the wafer segment, Schmid presented its optimized Wafer Backend Line with the revolutionary Wafer PreCleaner. This Schmid proprietary-design cleaning process applies the cleaning chemicals directly to the wafer surface. This method achieves a significantly better cleaning result with a significantly lower breakage rate compared to the standard process.
One particular highlight of the cell process is Schmid's High Efficiency Metallization Technology (HiMet) for digital and contact-free metallization of the front and rear surfaces of solar cells. This technique maximizes cell efficiency while keeping mechanical stress to a minimum. It also offers optimum print image flexibility and a drastic reduction in silver requirements. HiMet technology makes it possible to process the thinnest possible wafers at the lowest possible costs, thereby providing cell manufacturers with a perfect solution to ever increasing cost pressure. The new APCVD system presented by Schmid's Californian subsidiary, SierraTherm, is a cost-effective coating alternative for p-doped and n-doped wafers and also for rear-surface passivation.
The "Vision Lab" at the Schmid booth also demonstrated new, trail-blazing module technologies that will forge the path from HiMet cell to High Efficiency Module. Negotiations conducted on a further 30 MW Module turnkey line for Turkey were also successfully concluded with the signing of the contract. Hanefi Sireci, CEO of Solarturk, stressed that Turkey will remain one of the most promising PV markets in Europe.
On the third evening of the exhibition, the Port of Hamburg was infused with a taste of Mississippi flair, courtesy of Schmid. For its second Schmid Club Night, the company invited a select circle of over 200 clients to take a very special river trip on the Elbe aboard the "Louisiana Star" paddle steamer.