Three Germany-based companies – PVA TePla, a manufacturer of crystallization equipment; the Arnold Group, a technology company involved in silicon processes; and Gebr. Schmid GmbH + Co., a producer of photovoltaic equipment – have formed a partnership for the production of solar wafers.
As part of the partnership, the companies are planning to establish a joint technology center in Germany, which will allow the manufacturers to demonstrate their latest processes to customers, hold training courses and enable them to evaluate the developments under real production conditions.
Within the next few weeks, the location for the center, as well as other collaborative partners to join the consortium, will be announced. The center is scheduled to open in early 2010, according to the companies.
SOURCE: Gebr. Schmid