Malibu, a joint venture between energy company E.ON and Schuco, says it has launched the world's first thin-film solar module factory that completely eliminates the use of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), a greenhouse gas with a significant global warming potential, from the manufacturing process.
Working in close collaboration with researchers from technology provider Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, scientists at Malibu's development center in Bielefeld, Germany, have developed an improved cleaning process using on-site generated fluorine made with Linde's patented technology.
As a result, the carbon payback time is reduced by up to one year, according to the companies. This improved process will now be rolled out at Malibu's new 40 MW production facility in Osterweddingen, Germany.
SOURCES: Malibu, Linde Group
