Nov 15 2010
Roth & Rau AG (RRAUF.PK), a leading global provider of solar cell production equipment and technology and Day4 Energy Inc. (TSX: DFE), a leading global provider of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions, today announced a tri-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alinement B.V.("ABV"), a prospective Day4 solarSYSTEMS partner, to construct the first of its kind integrated manufacturing line for the production of PV cells and modules based on an industry leading technology combination developed by Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy.
With the objective of creating the next generation of crystalline silicon solar modules through increased cell efficiency and temperature performance, this collaboration will see Roth & Rau's PV cell and hetero-junction technology-based turnkey manufacturing line combined with Day4's advanced PV cell, module and production technologies. The recent acquisition of ACI eco-Tec by Day4 Energy makes this collaboration possible, and will ensure the delivery to ABV of an advanced PV technology superior in terms of both cost and performance.
ABV, a group of solar experts with a proven track record of bringing new products and production methods to market, has studied many options and selected Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy as their technology and equipment providers. The objective is to reduce costs and achieve the highest possible efficiency by minimizing production steps through the integration of wafer, cell and module production. The company has plans for 500MWp of manufacturing capacity in a single location in the Netherlands.
Roth & Rau has been developing hetero-junction technology for more than two years at their Switzerland Technology Centre in close collaboration with EPFL in Neuchatel. Hetero-junction technology solar cells offer an efficiency potential of more than 20% while delivering favorable manufacturing costs. At the recent EU PVSEC European Solar Conference held in Valencia, Roth & Rau presented results of 21% cell efficiency achieved at its Swiss Technology Centre. Having demonstrated the significant potential of hetero-junction technology, Roth & Rau is moving rapidly towards mass production.
Roth & Rau is excited about the potential of bringing together hetero-junction and Day 4 Energy's innovative contacting technology. This combination will further enhance the module efficiency of hetero-junction based solar cells, and lead to significant cost reductions in the cell process. Roth & Rau is currently the only equipment manufacturer to offer production systems for this highly promising cell technology.
"Aligning two of the best PV technologies available is important from a technical standpoint. However, equally important is that we are demonstrating a unique business approach, allowing our organizations to work together and create an industry breakthrough," says Dietmar Roth, CEO of Roth & Rau. "We are able to create advanced and highly efficient solar products, streamline production capabilities and provide manufacturers a pipeline of future technologies ensuring they continue to produce some of the most advanced solar products available on the market."
The merger of these technologies is the latest demonstration of the Day4 Electrode performing its role as a next platform for future PV technologies. The proprietary and patented Day4 Electrode and Guardian Technology used in Day4 solarMODULES incorporate technological advantages over conventional crystalline PV module technology.
"Our collaboration with Roth & Rau to develop superior PV technology and modules marks a pivotal milestone for Day4 Energy," says George Rubin, President of Day4 Energy. "To be recognized and chosen as the platform to deliver 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 efficiency at the module level and minimizes cell-to-module energy losses," explains Professor Leonid B. Rubin, Day4 Energy's Vice President & Chief Technology Officer. "In addition, Day4's low temperature module production technology provides a unique opportunity to manufacture PV modules with temperature sensitive PV cells."
"The combination of these two technologies, along with the necessary manufacturing equipment, all in an optimized package has the potential to produce one of the most efficient, lowest cost solar modules available in our industry. With Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy, we have a strong partnership in solar technology to bring costs down substantially through the application of state-of-the art technology," concluded Mr. Jac Hanssen, CEO of Alinement.