Saugerties, N.Y.-based Ceres Technologies, a provider of branded support equipment to the semiconductor and solar sectors, says it has expanded its position in the photovoltaic equipment manufacturing supply chain with the recent purchase of certain technology and product assets of the copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) system business formerly operated by Veeco Instruments Inc.
The CIGS product line acquisition adds to Ceres Technologies' portfolio of products and services in the renewable energy space with production-ready CIGS deposition tool sets, including machines for molybdenum back contact, a CIGS absorber layer and transparent conductive oxide layers.
The current product offering allows for roll-to-roll deposition on stainless steel substrates at 0.3-meter, 0.6-meter and 1.0-meter widths. In addition, a production-scale CIGS glass process tool is in development. As part of the technology purchase, Ceres Technologies obtained the right to manufacture, support and further develop the CIGS equipment technology previously sold by Veeco.
‘Ceres intends to selectively collaborate with PV equipment suppliers, CIGS cell and module manufacturers, and state and federal agencies with the intent of expanding production-worthy CIGS manufacturing tool sets to the PV marketplace,’ says Kevin Brady, president and CEO of Ceres Technologies.
