XEA|nova L8 – highly productive coating system with a throughput of more than 8000 wafers per hour
For some years now, the solar industry is characterized by a high cost pressure in manufacturing. VON ARDENNEs answer to that problem is the XEA|nova L8. This new coating systems makes use of the proven VON ARDENNE coating technology for large areas and deposits the most homogeneous TCO and metal layers on wafers for the production of heterojunction (HJT) and interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. With a coating capacity of more than 8000 wafers per hour, it is the most productive coating system on the market and reaches a yearly production capacity of 350 MWp. Furthermore, it has a target utilization of more than 80 percent, that render this machine ideal for high volume production.
XENIA – built for gigawatt lines
The XENIA, which is the VON ARDENNE workhorse for thin-film photovoltaics, benefits just as much from our decades of experience in large-area coating as the XEA|nova. The XENIA is suited for the deposition of metal, ceramic or absorber layers needed for the production of CIGS or CdTe solar modules. Substrate widths of up to 3 m, cycle times of 20 seconds, a target utilization of more than 80 percent and the ability to heat up quickly for quick availability are features that guarantee maximum productivity at minimum costs. Thus, the XENIA is equipped to reach an annual production capacity of more than 1 GWp.
Would a PV factory in Germany/ Europe be realistic?
This exciting question will be discussed by the VDMA panel on Wednesday, 15 May 2019, from 2:45 to 4 pm at booth 550 in hall C1. Based on a recent study published by the VDMA and Fraunhofer ISE, the participants will discuss if it would be realistic, in the face of falling module prices and the Asian predominance in cell and module production, to establish a mass-production site in Germany or Europe. Christian Knechtel, member of the executive management of VON ARDENNE, will take part in the panel, together with other renowned representatives of the industry.
Enhanced Battery Solutions GmbH – spin-off develops technology solutions for lithium-ion batteries
Apart from the generation of renewable energy, energy storage is a crucial factor for the success of the energy turnaround. Innovative thin-film technologies enable approaches to tackle the existing challenges for lithium-ion batteries. Because of the increasing demand, requirements such as a high output, a high energy density, longevity and fast charging become increasingly important, along with a cost-efficient, sustainable and resource-efficient cell production.
With the newly founded spin-off Enhanced Battery Solutions GmbH (EBSL), the VON ARDENNE Group advances these new approaches. At the booth shared with VON ARDENNE (C1.438), EBSL presents XPRIME, an ultra-thin (<100 nm) and compact coating for aluminum or copper current collectors. This process increases the power density and the lifetime of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. That is achieved by drastically increasing the conductivity of the current collector and, thereby, reducing the through-plane resistance between the current collector and the electrode coating.
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ABOUT VON ARDENNE-GROUP
VON ARDENNE develops and manufactures industrial equipment for vacuum coatings on materials such as glass, wafers, metal strip and polymer films. These coatings give the surfaces new functional properties and can be between one nanometer and a few micrometers thin, depending on the application. Our customers use these materials to make high-quality products such as architectural glass, displays for smartphones and touchscreens, solar modules and heat protection window film for automotive glass.
We supply our customers with technologically sophisticated vacuum coating systems, extensive expertise and global service. The key components are developed and manufactured by VON ARDENNE itself. Systems and components made by VON ARDENNE make a valuable contribution to protecting the environment. They are vital for manufacturing products which help to use less energy or to generate energy from renewable resources.
