SCHOTT Solar has inaugurated industrial mass production of thin film solar modules in Jena, Germany. The company has invested a total of 75 million euros toward the manufacturing facility, which has a module capacity of 33 MW per year.
With the Prime Minister of Thuringia, Dieter Althaus, in attendance, Prof., emphasized the strategic importance of this production facility:
"By engaging in high-technology mass production of thin film modules, we are creating a second source of revenue for our photovoltaic activities," says Udo Ungeheuer, chairman of the board of management of SCHOTT." As with wafer-based technology, we will now be improving our position among the world's leading manufacturers in the field of thin film technology, as well."
SCHOTT Solar produces ASI thin film modules based on amorphous silicon under nearly fully-automated, clean-room conditions, the company says. This process calls for amorphous silicon to be vapor-deposited onto a thin pane of glass. Each day, more than 1,000 framed standard modules 130 x 110 cm in size will be manufactured for rooftop PV systems and ground-mounted PV systems.
