Three well-known German companies enter a synergetic partnership in the production of solar wafers, aiming for technology and cost leadership.
The three companies PVA TePla AG in Wettenberg, leading manufacturer of crystallisation equipment, the Arnold Group in Weilburg, technology leader in grinding processes and in the automation of Si bricks, and Gebr. Schmid GmbH + Co. in Freudenstadt, market leader of photovoltaic production equipment - from the wafer and solar cell right up to the module, have decided to intensify their already existing partnership in the field of wafer manufacture. Together the firms are aiming for technology and cost leadership in wafer processing for the photovoltaic industry.
As seen by these companies, increasing cost pressure on wafer producers and substantial changes in the process technology call for comprehensive and cooperative work. In their opinion, consequent utilisation of all synergies and an integrative, process-overlapping outlook with regard to conceptual innovations is a pre-requisite for achieving the cost reduction in wafer production, which future markets demand.
The companies are planning to establish a communal technology centre in Germany. Such a forum will not only offer the manufacturers the opportunity of demonstrating their latest processes to customers and carrying out training courses but will also enable them to evaluate developments under real production conditions. In the next few weeks the location for this centre will be chosen and an announcement made as to which other partners are to join the consortium. The start is planned for the beginning of 2010, according to information by the company spokespersons.
The three companies PVA TePla AG in Wettenberg, leading manufacturer of crystallisation equipment, the Arnold Group in Weilburg, technology leader in grinding processes and in the automation of Si bricks, and Gebr. Schmid GmbH + Co. in Freudenstadt, market leader of photovoltaic production equipment - from the wafer and solar cell right up to the module, have decided to intensify their already existing partnership in the field of wafer manufacture. Together the firms are aiming for technology and cost leadership in wafer processing for the photovoltaic industry.
As seen by these companies, increasing cost pressure on wafer producers and substantial changes in the process technology call for comprehensive and cooperative work. In their opinion, consequent utilisation of all synergies and an integrative, process-overlapping outlook with regard to conceptual innovations is a pre-requisite for achieving the cost reduction in wafer production, which future markets demand.
The companies are planning to establish a communal technology centre in Germany. Such a forum will not only offer the manufacturers the opportunity of demonstrating their latest processes to customers and carrying out training courses but will also enable them to evaluate developments under real production conditions. In the next few weeks the location for this centre will be chosen and an announcement made as to which other partners are to join the consortium. The start is planned for the beginning of 2010, according to information by the company spokespersons.
