Choose another country/region to access content for your location.
12.11.2010 - Corporate

Day4 Energy, Roth & Rau and Alinement Announce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Develop and Manufacture the Next Generation of PV Modules

 

Roth & Rau AG / Key word(s): Alliance12.11.2010 08:59---------------------------------------------------------------------------Day4 Energy, Roth & Rau and Alinement Announce Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) to Develop and Manufacture the Next Generation of PV Modules-Roth & Rau & Day4 Energy to combine technologies to deliver the nextgeneration solar PV cell, module and production system-Alinement B.V., a prospective Day4 solarSYSTEMS partner in theNetherlands, is scheduled to commence operation in Q1 2012 with 80MW ofproduction capacity for this new technology-Additional capacity to 500MW is planned for the Netherlands and up to2.5GW globallyHohenstein-Ernstthal and Burnaby, BC, November 12, 2010 - Roth & Rau AG(RRAUF.PK), a leading global provider of solar cell production equipmentand technology and Day4 Energy Inc. (TSX: DFE), a leading global providerof solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions, today announced atri-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with , Alinement B.V.('ABV'), aprospective Day4 solarSYSTEMS partner, to construct the first of its kindintegrated manufacturing line for the production of PV cells and modulesbased on an industry leading technology combination developed by Roth & Rauand Day4 Energy.With the objective of creating the next generation of crystalline siliconsolar modules through increased cell efficiency and temperatureperformance, this collaboration will see Roth & Rau's PV cell andhetero-junction technology-based turnkey manufacturing line combined withDay4's advanced PV cell, module and production technologies. The recentacquisition of ACI eco-Tec by Day4 Energy makes this collaborationpossible, and will ensure the delivery to ABV of an advanced PV technologysuperior in terms of both cost and performance.ABV, a group of solar experts with a proven track record of bringing newproducts and production methods to market, has studied many options andselected Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy as their technology and equipmentproviders. The objective is to reduce costs and achieve the highestpossible efficiency by minimizing production steps through the integrationof wafer, cell and module production. The company has plans for 500MWp ofmanufacturing capacity in a single location in the Netherlands.Roth & Rau has been developing hetero-junction technology for more than twoyears at their Switzerland Technology Centre in close collaboration withEPFL in Neuchatel. Hetero-junction technology solar cells offer anefficiency potential of more than 20% while delivering favorablemanufacturing costs. At the recent EU PVSEC European Solar Conference heldin Valencia, Roth & Rau presented results of 21% cell efficiency achievedat its Swiss Technology Centre. Having demonstrated the significantpotential of hetero-junction technology, Roth & Rau is moving rapidlytowards mass production.Roth & Rau is excited about the potential of bringing togetherhetero-junction and Day 4 Energy's innovative contacting technology. Thiscombination will further enhance the module efficiency of hetero-junctionbased solar cells, and lead to significant cost reductions in the cellprocess. Roth & Rau is currently the only equipment manufacturer to offerproduction systems for this highly promising cell technology.'Aligning two of the best PV technologies available is important from atechnical standpoint. However, equally important is that we aredemonstrating a unique business approach, allowing our organizations towork together and create an industry breakthrough' says Dietmar Roth, CEOof Roth & Rau. 'We are able to create advanced and highly efficient solarproducts, streamline production capabilities and provide manufacturers apipeline of future technologies ensuring they continue to produce some ofthe most advanced solar products available on the market.'The merger of these technologies is the latest demonstration of the Day4Electrode performing its role as a next platform for future PVtechnologies. The proprietary and patented Day4 Electrode and GuardianTechnology used in Day4 solarMODULES incorporate technological advantagesover conventional crystalline pv module technology.'Our collaboration with Roth & Rau to develop superior PV technology andmodules marks a pivotal milestone for Day4 Energy.' says George Rubin,President of Day4 Energy. 'To be recognized and chosen as the platform todeliver the next generation of PV products is a significant achievement,recognizing the growing strength of the Day4 brand.''The Day4 cell interconnection technology secures PV cell high efficiencyat the module level and minimizes cell-to-module energy losses.' explainsProfessor Leonid B. Rubin, Day4 Energy's Vice President & Chief TechnologyOfficer. 'In addition, Day4's low temperature module production technologyprovides a unique opportunity to manufacture PV modules with temperaturesensitive PV cells.''The combination of these two technologies, along with the necessarymanufacturing equipment, all in an optimized package has the potential toproduce one of the most efficient, lowest cost solar modules available inour industry. With Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy, we have a strong partnershipin solar technology to bring costs down substantially through theapplication of state-of-the art technology' concluded Jac Hanssen, CEO ofAlinement.About Day4 EnergyHeadquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Day4 Energy is a leading globalprovider of solar photovoltaic products and solutions. Active in the areasof research & design, manufacturing, technology licensing and all aspectsof project management, Day4 Energy is enabling the growth of solar energythroughout the world. Day4 Energy recently completed the acquisition ofsolar equipment maker ACI eco-Tec. Day4 is listed on the Toronto StockExchange under the symbol 'DFE'. For more information, please visitwww.day4energy.com.About Day4 solarSYSTEMSAn industry first, Day4 solarSYSTEMS is a program that enables businessesto manufacture, distribute and sell certified DAY4 branded solarMODULES intheir local region. It's a revolutionary approach - a turnkey manufacturingpackage that allows participants to swiftly establish a production facilityand generate revenue growth. Launched in early 2010, Day4 solarSYSTEMS is aturnkey manufacturing program to expand the supply and market penetrationof Day4 branded solar modules and increase the worldwide adoption of solar.To learn more, please visit www.day4solarsystems.comAbout Roth & Rau AGFounded in 1990 and based in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany, Roth & Rau AGis one of the world's leading suppliers of production equipment andinnovative production technologies for the photovoltaics industry. For over10 years, Roth & Rau's focus has been providing antireflective coatingsystems and turnkey production lines for use in the manufacture ofcrystalline silicon solar cells. Further products include thermalprocessing systems also used in the manufacture of crystalline siliconsolar cells, as well as coating systems and turnkey production lines forthe manufacture of thin film solar modules. www.roth-rau.deAbout Alinement B.V.('ABV')ABV is a group of solar experts out of the Netherlands, leading aninvestment project for the design and construction of a large scale,state-of-the art integrated photovoltaic ('PV') plant to service theEuropean market. The 80MW manufacturing facility is expected to beoperational by the first quarter of 2012, with plans to gradually increaseits production capacity through several expansion phases. In long-termcooperation with Day4 and Roth & Rau, ABV plans to reach an annualproduction capacity of 500MW in the Netherlands, and up to 2.5GW globally.Investor Relations ContactRoth & Rau:Prof. Dr. Silvia RothVice President Sales & MarketingAn der Baumschule 6-809337 Hohenstein-ErnstthalGermany Fon: +49 (0) 37 23 / 66 85-0Fax: +49 (0) 37 23 / 66 85-100investor@roth-rau.deDay4 Energy:Therese Hayes Head, Corporate Development Day4 Energy Inc. (604) 345-6771 thayes@day4energy.com Media and Public Relations ContactJustin K LaceyDirector, Marketing Day4 Energy Inc. (604) 296-0449 jlacey@day4energy.com12.11.2010 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: EnglishCompany: Roth & Rau AG An der Baumschule 6-8 09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal DeutschlandPhone: 03723 6685-0Fax: 03723 6685-100E-mail: info@roth-rau.deInternet: www.roth-rau.deISIN: DE000A0JCZ51WKN: A0JCZ5Indices: TecDAXListed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in München, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Stuttgart End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------