The total amount of investment is not limited to the multi-million equipment contract but is also the start of a close corporation between both companies and a major step in innovation and technology for solar module production in mainland China.
Although all parties are delighted with the new contract and cooperation, "it was not a quick match," according to Bram Verschoor, COO of the Dutch high-tech equipment manufacturer Eurotron.
Sunport Power company came up with extensive list of requirements to meet for this new production facility. The investment had to meet not only the current needs in PV (solar) module production, but especially needed to offer a stable technology development and growth path towards the future.
"It's an achievement for our company and offered platform to end up as the chosen partner out of the shortlist of manufacturers."
Since Chinese companies like Sunport Power have to choose their technology and foreign investments carefully, the list of selection criteria was driven by new and upcoming market standards such as:
- Wafer savings
(in which area the new equipment has shown good results with silicium wafers of only a 120 ?m (!) thickness)
- Multi-technology platform
(not only for the upcoming technology of MWT cells, but also supporting different back contact technologies such as multi/mono P-type, N-type, EWT, HJBC and IBC cells)
- No busbars
(not only eliminating more than 2% shadow effect, but also the driver for a better, smooth and aesthetic appearance: an increasing market demand)
- 3% lower cell-to-module losses
(Since ribbons and wires are no longer needed: resistance is reduced to negligible levels)
- 4% cost price reduction
(Due to lower resistance, denser spacing, yield benefits, etc. the cost price of these modules show an impressive reduction in price per Wp while keeping known manufacturing margins)
- 5% better overall performance
(The Eurotron back contacted solar modules are combining the benefits of a great cell and a great module. Actual lab- and field data show a better performance, compared with other state-of-the-art technologies)
- 7,5% lower BoS costs (Balance of System)
(Due to a denser spacing, higher output, lower cost price and a lower module operating temperature, these modules offer end-users huge benefits in the levelized costs of electricity, compared with latest and state of the art technologies)
With a big smile Bram Verschoor is ending his lecture on these recent PV developments: "Eurotron is proud to be the supplier of choice for Sunport Power. We challenge everyone in this market to meet these new set standardsÂ…."
