Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

Oerlikon Solar secures first ThinFab orders

Oerlikon Solar has received the first orders for its new ThinFab thin film silicon module production line.

The company is hoping to sell its first complete ThinFab production line in 2011. Image: Oerlikon Solar.

A spokesperson for the Swiss company told pv magazine that two unnamed European customers have put in orders for its ThinFab equipment, which include two Kai systems – fully automated Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) systems for the mass production of solar modules. In total, the orders are worth around CHF 20 million (approximately USD$20.7 million; €15.7 million).

Peter Tinner, global head of sales and marketing of Oerlikon went on to say that the company is confident it can soon close a first order for an entire production line. "We are very pleased with the development of our sales pipeline. The likelihood that we can close a first order for a complete ThinFab production line in the first half of 2011 has risen significantly," he said.

Helmut Frankenberger, CEO of the company added: "The new equipment orders demonstrate the high interest of our customers and the entire solar market in our cost-leading and clean technology."

Currently, Oerlikon has built and put into operation 12 production lines worldwide.