Meyer Burger and Oerlikon Systems enter strategic cooperation

Meyer Burger and Oerlikon Systems enter strategic cooperation

Meyer Burger (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) and Oerlikon Systems signed a strategic distribution, cooperation & license agreement for the SOLARIS thin-film coating equipment. As part of the agreement, Meyer Burger’s sales & service organization will represent the SOLARIS equipment for crystalline Silicon PV application in most regions, such as China, Taiwan, Europe, Middle East, India & the Americas. Furthermore, the two tech­nology firms will work together to further increase the capabilities of the SOLARIS system for anti-reflective coatings and to develop other innovative process steps within the solar cell manufacturing process.

The SOLARIS system is a high speed single wafer sputter system based on advanced nanotechnology. The system is similar in design to other high performance manufacturing systems from Oerlikon for optical discs and semiconductors. In solar cell or photovoltaic production very thin layers of silicon nitride are applied on the front of the cells. Each wafer is handled and coated separately. With six coating chambers, a special carrier transport mechanism and a wide range of potential layer material,.the system is very flexible in its possible configurations, such as for anti-reflective coatings and back-side passivation & metallization for crystalline solar cells. The machine is able to treat standard wafer formats from 125 mm2 to 156 mm2, with an average amounting up to 1,200 wafers per hour. Changing substrate formats, layer materials or processes takes less than an hour. A new system can be ramped up in less than one week.

With a footprint of only 2 by 3.3 meters, SOLARIS requires 80 % less floor space than comparable systems in the industry. Another remarkable characteristic is the leading low energy consumption of less then 50 percent compared to the industry standard. SOLARIS also shows an impressive high uptime thanks to very low main­tenance requirements. The recent live demo of the system at the EU PVSEC tradeshow in Hamburg generated a lot of interest & excitement in the industry.

 “Meyer Burger’s focus, strength and experience in the crystalline silicon PV market will enable us to reach out to cell manufacturers faster & more efficiently. Furthermore, we see significant synergies by leveraging our own organisation with Meyer Burger’s capabilities in automation, wafer & cell measurement tools and – last but not least – with Meyer Burger’s expertise in wafer surface design.” says Andreas Dill, Head of Oerlikon Systems.

“We are very happy to start a new partnership with Oerlikon Systems – a true leader in thin film technology. This agreement is in line with our growth strategy to expand our successful model of providing core technologies in photovoltaics – to the benefit of our customers by further reducing cost of ownership while increasing conver­sion efficiencies and plant output” adds Peter Pauli, CEO of Meyer Burger.

 
Pictures showing the Solaris System designed for front- and back side coating of crystalline Silicon Solar Cells:

For further information see www.oerlikon.com/systems/solaris

For further information about Meyer Burger please contact:

Werner Buchholz, Head of Group Communications                    

+41 33 439 05 06 - w.buchholz@meyerburger.ch

For further information about Oerlikon please contact:

Sven E. Jarby, Head of Marketing & Communications

Oerlikon Balzers Ltd, Business Unit Systems

 +423 388 4878, sven.jarby@oerlikon.com

Burkhard Boendel, Head of Corporate Communications

OC Oerlikon Management AG

 +41 58 360 96 02, pr@oerlikon.com

About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd

www.meyerburger.ch

Meyer Burger Technology Ltd is a leading and globally active technology group for innovative systems and processes for cutting and handling crystalline and other high-grade materials.

The machines, competences and technologies of the different companies in the group are used in the solar industry (photovoltaics), semi-conductor and optical industry. The thinnest wafers made from silicon, sapphire or other crystals are required in these three markets to manufacture solar modules, switching circuits or high-performance LEDs. The group’s core competences are made up of a whole range of production processes, machines and systems that are used within the value chain in the manufacture of high quality wafers. The comprehensive range of products is complemented by a worldwide service network with wear and tear parts, consumables, re-grooving service, process know-how, servicing, after-sales service, training and other services. As a globally active company, the group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets.

Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of Meyer Burger Ltd in Switzerland, while the group companies, Meyer Burger Automation GmbH, Hennecke Systems GmbH and and AMB Apparate + Maschinenbau GmbH, have their headquarters and production facilities in Germany. Diamond Technologies Inc. has its headquarters in Colorado Springs, USA. The group also has subsidiaries and own service centres in Germany, Norway, China and Japan, which all are represented by its own staff on-site. In Taiwan and the USA, Meyer Burger works with independent sales and service partners that are part of Meyer Burger’s global service network. In other important countries the company relies on selected independent agents. Meyer Burger employed more than 630 staff worldwide as of mid-year 2009.

About Oerlikon – Enabling High Technology

www.oerlikon.com

Oerlikon (SIX: OERL) is one of the world’s leading international high-tech industrial groups specializing in machine and plant engineering. The company is a leader in the field of industrial solutions and innovative technologies for textile manufacture, thin-film solar and thin-film coating, drive, precision and vacuum systems. With roots in Switzerland and a long tradition stretching back 100 years, Oerlikon is a global player with a workforce of more than 16,000 at 158 locations in 37 different countries. The company’s sales amounted to CHF 4.8 billion in 2008 and it ranks either first or second in the respective global markets.

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