2014 September PV SEC Amsterdam

Dutch innovation facilitates global revival solar industry Our fi fth anniversary at the EU PVSEC…

In the month of May, Solar Magazine celebrated its fi fth year of publication. It was at the EU PVSEC exactly fi ve years ago – how appropriate that it is in the Netherlands this year – when we fi rst made our appearance on the international stage. In 2010, we published this English-language special for the fi rst time that traditionally depicts the Dutch PV landscape in all its glory.

Production vanished. The

September 2010 Netherlands, just like many other PV SEC Valencia European countries, accommodated many solar cell and panel PVSEC 2010, manufacturers within its country Valencia borders in 2010, but they have almost all vanished. However, the Netherlands has not just given up. The role of the Dutch Solar Industry: Netherlands as an equipment supplier from innovation to practice

for the world’s largest solar cell and solar beursspecial.indd 1 17-8-2010 9:29:45 panel manufacturers is as robust as ever. Companies like Tempress Systems,

September 2011 Eurotron, SoLayTec and Levitech PV SEC Hamburg flourish in the machine building market of crystalline silicon and Smit Ovens, PVSEC 2011, partly thanks to the research collective Hamburg Solliance, in the world of thin film.

Installed capacity. Equally important Innovative solar technology is that the Netherlands has at last seen from the Netherlands

PV SEC 2011.indd 1 the demand for solar panels in its home 16-08-11 11:35 market gain a foothold. This summer, the one gigawatt milestone of installed 2012

September PV capacity was passed. Ambitions are PV SEC Frankfurt ECN launches considerable for the coming years. The PVSEC 2011, ambition set out is to dispose of at least Frankfurt four gigawatt by 2020, but there are new back contact also (realistic) scenarios for six and even eight gigawatt. silicon cells and modules Innovative solar technology from the Netherlands The solar factory 2.0. Dutch/European technology inside. This is the motto Back contact cells and modules are the new trend in silicon photovoltaic and

that professor Wim Sinke (ECN) has 2013

September ECN is at the forefront of this trend. Come look at ECN’s latest developments been canvassing for a while now. With PV SEC Paris leading to the breakthrough of back contact in the global market. French-German, but also Dutch plans PVSEC 2013, for European manufacturing – vertically Paris Crisis-beating innovation with Dutch solar technology Higher effi ciency, lower cost integrated or not – there appears to be ECN off ers high-level expertise and technology, such as designs and a future for a European solar factory 2.0. processes for back contact cells and modules, n-type silicon cells and new Will you lend a hand? approaches for high effi ciency devices. Co-development with industry and technology transfer enable our inventions to play a key role in shaping ECN and Fraunhofer ISE will be hosting a back contact Edwin van Gastel

Solar Magazine editor in chief and publisher PV SEC 2013.indd 1 today’s and tomorrow’s PV markets. workshop on 13 and 14 November in Amsterdam. 16-09-13 22:36 More information: www.backcontactworkshop.com Visit us at EU PVSEC Booth C13

ecn.nl Solar | Wind | Bio mass | Sustainable Process Technology | Policy studies

3

441036 Adv_Solar_Magazine_FC_210x297mm_02.indd 1 25-8-2014 15:49:30 CREDITS 27 thin-film solar Solar Magazine is an independent Dutch trade journal and appears four times a year with a circulation of 15,000 copies. This English edition of 3,000 copies has been glass for solar published for the PV SEC.

Publisher & Editor in chief Edwin van Gastel (EG Media) 33 (E). [email protected] thermal receiver production (T). +31 63 00 848 75

Columnists 7 Wim Sinke (ECN) Our solutions: Wiep Folkerts (SEAC) Michel Weeda (N.V. BOM) thin film solar Design Crystallization for CIGS Bette van Loenen (EG Media) 17 (E). [email protected] Selenium deposition for CIGS Coverfoto: Solar Team Eindhoven 30 Activation for CdTe Editorial advisory board Michel Weeda (N.V. BOM), Paul Wyers Contact firing (ECN), Ando Kuypers (TNO) glass for solar and Arthur de Vries (Holland Solar) TCO for CdTe and thin film silicon Strengthening and toughening 21 Thermal process solutions may challenge your solar ideas. Index Partners Solar Magazine challenge us Dutch solar technology conquers the world 10 Column Wim Sinke - PV: made in Europe?! 13 Call today and we’ll explain how thermal processes can work for you Eurotron sees rising demand for rear contact cell production machines 15 www.smitovens.com • Tel: +31 499 49 45 49 • [email protected] Solliance opens new building with unique testing infrastructure 16 Translation Double Dutch, Eindhoven Smit Ovens sees order portfolio quickly fi ll up 17

Printing Tempress Systems introduces third generation n-type solar cell 21 Veldhuis Media, Raalte Dutch solar community starts large amount of new innovation projects22 Subscriptions & Advertisements Solar Magazine Levitech: ‘The ALD market will double in the coming years’ 25 (E). [email protected] (I). www.solarmagazine.nl VDL ETG launches roll-to-roll production tools 26

© EG Media 2014 - Nothing from this publication Besi delivers fi rst mass production system with plating technology 27 may be copied without permission of the publisher. The editorial staff and publisher are fully aware of SoLayTec predicts a doubled sales of ALD tools 28 their duty to ensure that the publication is as reliable as possible. Nevertheless, they do not accept any DSM solar cell foil almost ripe for commercialisation 29 responsibility for any errors in this publication. At Smit Ovens, we design and manufacture thermal process solutions for Column Wiep Folkerts - BIPV: from promise to breakthrough 32 high-volume manufacturing. With decades of experience in the glass, displays, electronics and solar industries, we’re constantly innovating. Solar Industry Register 33 Today, we focus on solar applications, acting as an expert partner to manufacturers aiming for cost-effective mass production.

advertentie april 2010 A4-3.indd 1 23-04-10 10:55 Presentation of the Dutch Solar Awards on the TU Delft third at the First edition Dutch Solar FOM and UvA: ‘A layer of silicon nanocrystals and 19th of November 2014 during SundayNL Solar Decathlon 2014 Trend report published erbium ions increase the efficiency of solar cells’

In November 2014 the Dutch Solar Awards Rotterdam is the current award holder with During the Solar Decathlon 2014, the Innovation in storage systems is more A layer of silicon nanocrystals and erbium Communications. When conventional will be presented for the second time during its BIPV system consisting of three thousand Olympic Games for sustainable building, the important than innovation in building- ions may help solar cells to extract more silicon-based solar cells absorb UV light, SunDay. The organisation is delighted with solar panels. The Young Solar Award – TU Delft student team managed to win third integrated products. This is one of the energy from the ultraviolet part of the much of its energy is lost in the form of heat. the forty or so submissions it has received in currently in the hands of ALD specialist prize. With the entry Prêt-à-Loger, Home results from the first edition of the Dutch solar spectrum. Experimental physicists The researchers showed that this excess the four different categories. The Industry SoLayTec – will be presented to the most with a Skin, the Delft team was close behind Solar Trend report 2014. It is also one of from the FOM Foundation, the STW energy can be used to excite multiple erbium Development Award goes to the company promising solar start-ups in November. And, the winner Italy. The Delft team had made the primary conclusions. The first edition Technology Foundation and the University ions. This causes the ions to emit light, which that excels in the generation of an industrial finally, the Solar Thesis Award recognises the a very conscious choice to make an existing of this market research – realised through of Amsterdam published this news in Nature can then be converted into electricity. innovation. In 2012 this prize was won by University or Applied University of Sciences nineteen-sixties terrace house sustainable. a coproduction between Solar Solutions TULiPPS Solar for its COSMOS-module thesis, paper or PhD, in which the knowledge The team did this by applying a ‘second skin’, and Solar Magazine – boasts two hundred concept. The Project Development Award of solar energy enjoys the most advancement. which included a glazed construction on participating solar professionals. The report symbolizes ground-breaking collaboration You can register to attend the presentation the sun side. This construction allows the comprises more than sixty pages of data, in the field of solar energy in the form of of the Dutch Solar Awards during SundayNL house to run completely on solar energy. interpretations and recommendations. Solliance takes new building into service a completed solar project. Central Station through www.sundaynl.nl. Through opting for the adaption of an old The primary consideration from the results terrace house, the team demonstrated how of the trend report – comprising political, existing homes, of which there are 1.4 million market and technology trends – is that in the Netherlands alone, could undergo a the role of various public bodies is still Mμ opens its doors on sustainability transformation. The students criticised due to alternating policies. The presented a realistic approach here and the most important conclusion that can be the High Tech Campus Eindhoven house came out top of the newbuild and drawn from the report is that the Dutch solar top-up houses (homes with an extension) energy community wants a stable multi-year Last autumn, the Business Centre Mµ 2007 and for which demand has exceeded that the other nineteen universities had policy from the political leaders. The majority opened its doors on the High Tech Campus supply since then. In her welcoming speech, submitted. The students received support of the respondents (eighty percent) indicate Eindhoven. It offers small and medium- Imke Carsouw, director of Twice Eindhoven, in the realisation of the project from, among that they consider a stable multi-year sized R&D companies with a focus on talked about the triple helix cooperation others, solar panel supplier DMEGC Benelux. policy to be the most important task for the Lifetech and New Energy the opportunity that has been of decisive importance ministers in The Hague. Europe, too, should to expand and specialise their company. in the establishment of this brand-new see this as its most important task (seventy- Mμ was developed especially for small and accelerator. ‘Without the contributions five percent) and municipalities should be medium-sized businesses with activities from commerce, knowledge institutes and especially involved in the promotion of solar aimed at Research and Development and government, we wouldn’t have been able to Akzo Nobel and SERIS energy (sixty-six percent). That innovation in special focus on Lifetech and New Energy. achieve such an initiative. SME have been of are going to reduce storage systems is preferred to innovation In addition to office space, the centre is decisive importance in the transformation of in building-integrated products (BIPV) is equipped with high-end laboratories knowledge into new products and services the cost of solar cells another remarkable conclusion from the that are fitted to the specifications of the that offer solutions for social challenges. trend report. BIPV products have been company. Mμ builds on the success of βèta, The formula in this splendid building offers The Solar Energy Research Institute of tipped as future growth products for many Research alliance Solliance opened its and applications. Many investments have which opened its doors to R&D companies entrepreneurs the opportunity of meeting Singapore (SERIS) is to enter an alliance with years, but it appears as though the sector new building on the High Tech Campus been made possible through the province on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven in and working together.’ the Dutch Akzo Nobel to reduce the cost currently has more faith in storage systems. Eindhoven mid-June. Within Solliance, the of Noord Brabant, which has made twenty- of solar cell manufacture. Akzo’s business The survey respondents indicate that storage knowledge institutes ECN, TNO, Holst Centre, eight million euro of financing available. unit High Purity Metalorganics (HPMO) systems will not just be the second most Eindhoven University of Technology, imec This money was appropriated for example has been active in the solar industry as important source of income but that here and Forschungszentrum Jülich work on for production equipment – such as pilot materials suppliers for a while. Now that the too product innovation is the most desired. research and development for the entire thin production machines for organic and CIGS Roll-out hallmark Zonnekeur gaining pace international solar cell manufacturers are Even more than for building-integrated or film solar cell chain: from new concepts and solar cells – that can be found in the new increasingly opting for high-yield solar cells, regular solar panels. materials to pre-pilot production machines Solliance building. In the coming years, the new Dutch Akzo Nobel wants to develop, through this hallmark Zonnekeur is to make a collaboration with SERIS, new materials that considerable contribution to the desired will contribute to a further reduction in cost. professionalization of the solar energy installation contractors sector. ‘In 2014 Eurotron opens Competence Centre for module technology back contact cells we want to grow towards fifty to seventy- five installation contractors who have Machine builder Eurotron from Bleskensgraaf the Zonnekeur hallmark.’ An interview The first hurdle that has been taken with has, as the first in the world, opened a with Gerard van Amerongen, chairman the Zonnekeur hallmark, according to Van Competence Centre for module technology Holland Solar, the industry body who took Amerongen, is achieving national coverage. with back contact cells. In the centre lab, test the initiative to establish the Zonnekeur In the Netherlands, there currently are about and pre-production activities for all sorts of hallmark. According to Van Amerongen, twenty contractors who have the Zonnekeur solar panels with back contact cells can be the hallmark will ensure quality across the hallmark. ‘We’re now entering the next performed. Bram Verschoor, Eurotron’s Chief board. ‘It won’t only lead to a fitter having phase in which we inform the conservation Commercial Officer about the opening: ‘For a the correct skills and knowledge, but and environmental organisations about the number of years now, we’ve seen that there also guarantee high-quality operational existence of the hallmark. We’re going to has been a need for such a state-of-the-art test management. The companies will be lobby for the hallmark to be included as a facility. This will further dissipate hesitancy to inspected annually on all these fronts.’ condition for tenders.’ commercialise this module technology.’

6 7 The province of Noord Brabant launches Solland Solar expands it PhD student TU Delft wins Chinese government New lectureship solar solar fi nancing guarantee scheme solar cell production prize for excellent solar research energy at Avans

5.4 million euro. This is the amount is in line with the ambition of transforming Hairen Tan, PhD student at EEMCS faculty worked on light-trapping technology for Avans has a new lectureship. The lectureship that the province of Noord Brabant the research results from the Solliance at Delft University of Technology, has won a capturing sunlight in high effi ciency thin fi lm ‘Solar Production technology and Equipment is making available to strengthen the initiative, but also from the Solar Energy Chinese Government Award for ‘Outstanding solar cells since 2011. He has done this under Development’ is to develop technologies economic cluster involved in solar energy Application Centre – both established Self-fi nanced Students Abroad’. The Chinese the supervision of professor Miro Zeman and for the new generation of solar cells and technology. The amount is to be made on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven – ambassador presented him with this prize doctor Arno Smets. investigate new applications for solar cells in available in the form of a guarantee. The into commercial products and services. for his foreign solar energy research. Tan has for example fl at roofs, tent canvass or truck most important condition for eligibility for The ambition is to foster enthusiasm tarpaulins. The new lecturer is Karel Spee. the guarantee scheme is that the project among parties active in the second and The lectureship falls under the Academie must be executed in the province of Noord actually fi nal link in the chain for the voor Industrie en Informatica in Den Bosch Brabant and obviously deploy the latest fi nancing guarantee scheme. This includes and is an alliance between Avans and the technology in the fi eld of solar energy. companies that want to market a new type research institute TNO, where the lecturer Both individual companies and joint of solar panel or building-integrated solar works. Spee works two days a week for ventures can be considered for inclusion. energy products through a new innovative Avans. All Avans lecturers are now bundled The intention of the scheme is to reduce approach. The scheme could be the fi nal Solland Solar has expanded its production in expertise centres. This new lectureship the risks of promising but risky innovation push that is necessary to remove the last capacity in Heerlen from one hundred to belongs to the Expertisecentrum Duurzame projects for entrepreneurs to that of technical and fi nancial risks for a successful one hundred and fi fty megawatt. Thomson Innovatie (EDI, expertise centre for normal entrepreneurial risks. The scheme market introduction. Energy from France has ordered a large sustainable innovation) and will work with number of megawatts, through which the other lecturers from the EDI. In addition, expansion of the production was desired. there is an alliance with the lectureship The capacity of the sister company EL.ITAL ‘Nieuwe Energie’ at Hogeschool Zuyd and has also been increased from seventy to one the lectureship ‘Thin Films and Functional Merck acquires Peer+ hundred and ten megawatt per year, and for Materials’ at Fontys. ELIFRANCE to forty-fi ve megawatt. Merck has purchased Peer+. Peer+, the deliver increasingly better quality products. manufacturer of smart energy glass with With regard to material and electro- solar cells, announced in March that it had development we’re right on schedule. taken its pilot production line into service The attention now lies on the conclusion in Eindhoven. Director Teun Wagenaar of large pilot projects.’ In the meantime, were underway with international said at the time: ‘The line continues to according to the director, negotiations glass companies about the possibility Delft University realises ReRa Solutions presents specialized tooling of establishing large scale production, both in the Netherlands and beyond. maximum light trapping for measuring solar cells The production has to start in 2016. With the acquisition by Merck, it is as though in solar cells In the last 8 years, ReRa Solutions has junction cell. Perfect for adjusting multi- acceleration is taking place. Peer+ is now a grown to be one of the main suppliers for source solar simulators. division of Merck that intends to establish photovoltaic R&D. Leading universities, Tracer 3 IV Curve Measurement Software: the mass production of smart energy glass institutes and industries all over the the Tracer software is the ‘de facto’ in cooperation with companies from the world use the instruments, software and standard to measure and analyze solar glass and façade sector. Merck, which is sensors of ReRa Solutions. ReRa Solutions cell IV curves. The extensive support for a household name in the chemical and has developed several specialized most electronic curve tracers is extended pharmaceutical industry, has been involved tools for measuring solar cells. At the and now incorporates support for as a technology partner for Peer+ since 2011. 29th edition of PVSEC in the RAI in outdoor module measurements. Other Amsterdam, the following ReRa products newly supported electronic loads are the will be demonstrated at booth B4 (Abet AUTOLAB potentiostats, which enable the Researchers at Delft University of Technologies). measurement of electrochemical cells and Technology have taken the fi rst step towards Reference Cells: the ReRa Reference Cells add CV measurements. a new generation of high yield, cost eff ective always have been a good and aff ordable Non-Uniformity Measurement: new and ultrathin crystalline silicon solar cells. choice to accurately measure the irradiance fast scanning arrays are available to They are the fi rst in the world to have got level of solar simulators. The reference continuously measure the non-uniformity really close to the theoretical limit for the cells are manufactured according to the of your solar simulator. Field sizes available increase of light absorption (‘light trapping’) IEC-60904-2 standard and are calibrated are: 50x50mm, 100x100mm, 160x600mm for a wide light spectrum (99.8 percent). in the PV Calibration lab of the Radboud and 200x200mm. Their article about light management in University Nijmegen. The broadband inter- ultrathin silicon has been accepted for comparison in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), publication in the magazine ACS Photonics. proved the ReRa Reference Cells to be well PhD student Andrea Ingenito from the within ±2% uncertainty! Besides standard Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD) Silicon reference cells. ReRa also developed section at Delft University of Technology GaAs Cells and triple-junction reference has demonstrated the theoretical limit for cells for specifi c measurements. increasing light absorption by a thin semi- Triple-junction reference cell: 4 x 1cm2 cells; 3 conducting material in an experiment. component cells and one complete triple-

BHT2013-005 adv BHT NL.indd 1 13-3-2013 14:39:03 9 Dutch solar technology conquers the world

In the last twenty-five years, the Netherlands has acquired an excellent position in the field of research, manufacture and application of PV production equipment and technology. The Netherlands is a country where pioneering work is performed in the field of research & development in solar power. That the solar landscape in the Netherlands is evolving is evident from fast growing companies like Levitech, SoLayTec, VDL Flow, Meco and Eurotron as well as from international renowned players like Tempress Systems and Smit Ovens.

By Edwin van Gastel (Solar Magazine) and Mark Meijer (Energy Indeed)

From significant innovations regarding concerns many different sectors, with solar projects are in development under the Lamers HTS, Levitech, Meco, Roth & products like high-performance modules, high performance, commercial crystalline energy being no exception. For example, flag of the Topconsortium for Knowledge Rau B.V., Rimas, Smit Ovens, SoLayTec, smart energy glass or durable low-weight silicon technology to the development the Netherlands is an important exporter and Innovation (TKI) Solar Energy: 14 on Tempress and VDL Flow. Thanks to these BIPV modules. of entirely new options such as thin of PV production equipment, an important PV systems and applications, 8 on wafer- companies, who are to a large extent For roughly any component of a PV system, films and organic solar cells, the Dutch importer of PV panels and an extensive based silicon PV and 6 on thin film PV. In complementary to each other, the the Netherlands has a representative solar landscape covers a broad spectrum trader in solar related services. total, 105 Dutch organizations are involved Netherlands is in the global top 6 of PV manufacturer. This includes for instance including materials and processes, The Dutch PV market is on the rise. In only with these projects, with a total project production machine manufacturers. (micro-) inverters, power optimizers and devices and systems. two years time its installed capacity has commitment of about 50 million euro. In addition, the Netherlands is moving storage systems (e.g. Mastervolt, Heliox, increased fourfold to a total value of 722 forward in the field of test and measuring Femtogrid and Victron Energy), mounting General position MW at the end of 2013. About 90% of this Solliance and SEAC equipment. An example in this field systems (e.g. Esdec, Van Der Valk Systems and In international comparisons the capacity is installed at households, thanks Committed investment is also taking place is Eternal Sun. This Delft University Sunbeam), monitoring systems (e.g. Plugwise Netherlands is often defined as one of to the net metering policy. across the thin film landscape. Particularly, of Technology (TU Delft) spin-off has and ReRa Solutions) and solar radiation the most attractive countries in the world Technology innovation in The Netherlands six research institutes (ECN, TNO, Eindhoven developed solar simulation technology, measuring instruments (e.g. Kipp & Zonen). for international trade. The Netherlands is stimulated by public-private University of Technology, Holst Centre, which is now sold all over the world, lists third in the Enabling Trade Index partnerships with shared funding, to imec and Forschungszentrum Jülich) are especially in China and India. The company 2014 of the World Economic Forum (after ensure a closer connection between bundling their thin film efforts in Solliance. provides test and measurement services as Singapore and Hong Kong) and even first research and development (R&D) and Solliance opened a new building at High well as the equipment to do this in-house. Overview Dutch solar landscape when it comes to its port infrastructure. market deployment (also see the article on Tech Campus Eindhoven just before Examples of other Dutch companies in this The trade from and to the Netherlands page 22 and 23). Currently, 28 innovation the summer holidays. Dutch industrial field are Hielkema Test Equipment, XYZTEC Research Institutes: participation comes from for instance Smit and CelSian Glass & Solar. • Solliance Ovens, DSM, Roth & Rau (formerly OTB The Netherlands also has some large • Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) Solar) and Philips Innovation Services. chemical companies like Akzo Nobel and • Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) The Solar Energy Application Centre DSM who are active in the PV industry. • The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) (SEAC), also based on High Tech Campus Next to these large companies, there • Holst Centre Eindhoven, promotes the development are several other Dutch companies that • Dutch Polymer Institute of solar systems and applications in supply materials to the PV industry. • Solar Energy Application Centre (SEAC) urban environments. One of the biggest Examples of those companies are • Stichting Monitoring Zonnestroom achievements so far is taking its test C-Coatings, Resin Products & Technology • Centre of Expertise NEBER (New Energy Built Environment and Renewables) field into service where among others B.V., RGS Development, SABIC Limburg, Femtogrid Energy Solutions power SPG Prints and Yparex. Universities: optimizers, Mastervolt transformers and • Delft, Eindhoven, Utrecht, Nijmegen, Groningen, Wageningen and Amsterdam Heliox micro-inverters are being tested. Manufacturers The Netherlands has a few manufacturers The physical infrastructure includes: Export of PV products. Examples of these • High Tech Campus Eindhoven Further, the Dutch PV sector has bilateral manufacturers are HyET Solar (thin film) • Energy Valley in the North of the Netherlands relations with almost all important R&D and Solland Solar (crystalline silicon). The • Application Centre for Renewable RESources (ACRRES) institutes in Europe and with many latter is in Italian hands, but its capacity others in other continents. Based upon in the Netherlands is expanding. Further, Leading companies in the Dutch solar industry: its strong position in solar R&D and the there are several companies that aim to • Eurotron, Mastervolt, Oskomera, Tempress Sytems, Meco Equipment Engineers, Smit semi-conductor industry, the Netherlands start production in the Netherlands in the Ovens, Philips, Lamers High Tech Systems, DSM and Royal HaskoningDHV has some world-leading manufacturers next few years. These companies include • Solar start-ups like HyEt Solar, Levitech, SoLayTec, SunCycle, PeerPlus, Heliox, TU- of PV production machines. Examples Energyra, LineSolar, Peer+ and TULiPPS LiPSS Solar, CelSian Solar & Glass, Femtogrid Energy Solutions and VDL Flow. of these companies are ASMI, Eurotron, Solar. Their focus is mainly on innovative

10 11 COLUMN

PV: made in Europe?!

A few months ago, the European between research and industry also can be Photovoltaic Technology Platform and will be a global activity, the ‘nearby’ organised a one-day conference in presence of a successful industry sector Brussels under the title: ‘New dawn is important to maintain political support for large-scale PV manufacturing in for public co-financing of world-class Europe: reality or pipe dream?’ This R&D: the perspective of value creation is event illustrates the re-valuation of the essential. In turn, without such world-class manufacturing industry as an important R&D it is difficult, if not impossible, to pillar under a knowledge and innovation develop the next generations of industrial driven economy, with sustainability as technology in time. key feature. It also emphasizes the desire of stakeholders to not only benefit from In response to these challenges and the clean electricity generated by PV, opportunities, several manufacturing but also to seize the great economic initiatives are under development opportunities created by large-scale in Europe. One is highly visible: the deployment of PV in Europe and all German-French-Swiss ‘xGWp’ initiative other parts of the world. presented so passionately by Fraunhofer ISE’s director professor Eicke Weber at The European PV industry sector the Brussels event. It has even been has been hit very hard by crisis in referred to as the Solar Airbus project. recent years, but now that global Other initiatives are discussed more manufacturing overcapacity is gradually behind the screens. Although they disappearing and the demand for have also triggered skeptical reactions, new capacity is expected to recover, I am convinced that they are of vital private companies, research institutes importance for the European PV sector. and governments are looking into the possibilities to (re)gain a significant These initiatives demonstrate ambition, share in manufacturing of advanced, self-confidence and a drive develop Realize your Solar ambitions high-quality PV hardware. Europe from the well-acknowledged pioneer and trailblazer in PV technology The technology base in Europe is and applications it is, to one of the global with the speed of light still broad and strong, but global frontrunners in PV for the decades to developments are fast and competition come. Exactly what we need to seize an is fierce. To stay fit, it is essential opportunity Europe cannot, should not to create an ecosystem that allows and hopefully will not refuse. innovations to rapidly leave the labs and move into the fabs and the fields Wim Sinke The NTS-Group develops, makes and improves opto-mechatronic systems and (and roofs), and to provide feedback to ECN Solar Energy and European modules. In the Solar market we are the preferred D&E and manufacturing the labs again. Although cooperation Photovoltaic Technology Platform partner for handling and transferring equipment for leading OEMs. Our methods enable you to innovate and respond to your customers’ demands more quickly and radically shorten the time to market. Do you want to speed up your ambitions in the Solar market? We are happy to tell you more. www.nts-group.nl

The NTS-Group is a chain of companies in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Singapore and China specialised in developing and building opto-mechatronic systems and modules.

Accelerating your business

13 THE BEST TOOLS TO MEASURE YOUR SOLAR CELLS Eurotron sees the order portfolio for rear contact cell production machines fi ll up

Eurotron sees its order portfolio fi lling up again. ‘We recently delivered an upgrade for a fully automatic production line for rear contact solar panels – called Euromax – to on of our Visit booth B4 customers in Nanjing, China’, relates Bram Verschoor, chief commercial offi cer at Eurotron. (Abet Technologies)

About seven years ago, the Products: Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland (ECN) was looking for an industrial partner • Reference Cells (Silicon, GaAs, for the development of manufacturing Triple-Junction, KG-filtered) IT’S PEOPLE equipment for rear contact solar panels. • Tracer 3: IV-Measurement Solution WHO DRIVE Eurotron decided to get on board and • Non-Uniformity Arrays in 2014 the decision has proven to be a TECHNOLOGY success. Eurotron is now able to supply the fully automatic production line Euromax-Gen3. This year, the significant RERA SOLUTIONS milestone of one gigawatt of installed PV MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS WWW.TMC.NL www rerasolutions.com base will be reached. good deal of orders in the coming years. Use of materials Market acceptance In addition to Asia, we see a serious Eurotron invests heavily in R&D. The ‘With a few major orders earlier this market opening up in the Middle East.’ company is involved in a lot of national and year we took an important step towards Because, according to Verschoor, the international innovation project employing TMC Solar_Adv 90,5x131.indd 1 02-08-12 17:15 the definitive market acceptance of orders that have been won make rear contact cells. Examples of this are our technology’, Verschoor opens the clear that Eurotron technology makes projects concerned with the reduction conversation. ‘The market for solar solar production possible in many of the use of materials and alternatives equipment has now definitely started an places around the world. ‘It’s a cost- for encapsulation. ‘The most important upward trend. Because we have a product price reduction at module level. The technological advancement in recent years that deviates markedly from the “standard” final product that our manufacturing has been the replacement of the etching An R&D cluster bringing thin film machines, we are seeing interest in our equipment now produces is already processes in the manufacture of contacting solar energy technology machines increasing. We operate in a keenly priced, and further development is foils. Until the end of last year, the niche and, partly due to this, we expect a certainly possible.’ structuring of the rear foils for solar panels to excellence took place through etching. This process was so expensive that we went in search of an alternative way of going about it. In the end, we developed a machine which allows for the mechanical processing of foil as an alternative for etching.’ Verschoor concludes: ‘Rear contact cells will be the winning concept open to endless variation. It’s too early to say if p-type or n-type silicon or IBC will dominate. The fact remains that, since the global dip in the PV industry, the major manufacturers have opened their eyes to high-effi ciency solar cells. We’ve done our homework and facilitate the manufacture of high- effi ciency solarmodules . The machines are WWW.SOLLIANCE.EU part of our installed base and are running stably. Now the only thing left to do is convince the market that we’re off ering the technology of the future.’

15 Solliance opens new building with Smit Ovens sees order globally unique testing infrastructure portfolio quickly fi ll up

The research collective Solliance opened its new building on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven at the beginning of June of this Machine manufacturer Smit Ovens is the Netherlands’ most important trump in the world of thin-fi lm year. The property is packed with pre-pilot facilities to accommodate the further commercialisation of production machines for solar cells. For a long time, the machine supplier had been the world’s largest thin-fi lm manufacturer organic and thin-fi lm solar cells by the industry. and in the last year it was the fi rst to win new orders. Smit Ovens director Wiro Zijlmans can already confi rm with satisfaction that the upward line has continued over the last twelve months.

Solliance director Hein Willems envisages Smit Ovens designs and manufactures the challenge for the foreseeable future thermal process solutions. The company to be the more direct linking of current does this for three solar thin-film research at Solliance to applications. technologies: Transparent Conductive ‘Until recently, there was no space for this, Oxide (TCO), Copper Indium Gallium because we had neither the means nor the Selenide (CIGS) and Cadmium Telluride opportunities to create applications. Now (CdTe). More and more, the technologies we’ve opened our new building and taken developed for the PV market are finding the machines into service, we intend to their way into other sectors, like for OLEDs present all sorts of applications and hold and displays. demonstrations within the next year. For example solar cells on glass, or foil and Expanding manufacturing capacity completely transparent variations. Another ‘Where it’s apparent in the world of challenge is answering the question of crystalline silicon that investment is how we can return the manufacturing sporadic because most manufacturers facilities to Europe. I believe that thin-fi lm have been pared down to the bone, the PV and Solliance can make an important two largest thin-film manufacturers have contribution to this. This of course despite a healthy bank balance’, claims Zijlmans. the fact that, as a research institute, you ‘Both Solar Frontier and First Solar have can’t open a factory yourself.’ announced that they wish to expand their manufacturing capacity. Solar Frontier Industrial contribution is working on a new series of measures And there is more. ‘It is our ambition to to reduce the manufacturing costs and double our contribution to industry in to provide Solliance with fresh zeal. ‘For the number of industrial partners, Solliance is going to open a new factory in New the coming four years’, Willems continues. time being, we don’t yet have a successor in supplied a production machine ProDuZo York. I see the development of companies ‘And one of the latest participants is our sights and I will remain in this position to this end. ‘This machine makes it possible manufacturing globally continuing to developing a continuous process to reduce market. It is likely and we hope that this the multinational DSM. This company for the coming period and will enjoy to manufacture completely to measure’, increase in the coming years. Not just for the cost price even further and achieve better growth will continue. We also hope to have participates in the CIGS research doing so too. It gives me great pleasure to clarifi es Willems. ‘In the coming period, political reasons, but also because the cost output. ALD is also involved in another project raked in three orders for the developed programme. We’ve signed a joint venture contribute to the ground that Solliance is the companies involved will further of transport is increasing in proportion as that is making good ground. This autumn ALD machine in 2015. Not exclusively in agreement with the objective of developing rapidly covering in the direction of tangible commercialise this machine.’ the price of solar cells continues to fall.’ we will be supplying Solliance with the fi rst the PV market, but in other markets too.’ new solutions. DSM has a good track record applications. We’ve completed the fi rst tests With this knowledge, Zijlmans intends to machine for large area spatial ALD. With in the development of innovative materials for applying thin-fi lm solar cells to ceramic continue the growth of his company over this machine, we can show customers how, that improve the yield of solar panels. It’s a façade elements and tiles. It’s fair to say that the next twelve months. ‘2015 will be an through ALD, special layers for thin-fi lm solar company that perceives the added value of the fi nal products are several years from Key competences Solliance even better year than 2014. Not just because cells can be applied to a large surface. The fi rst Key competences our infrastructure. The infrastructure that the market, but these fi rst prototypes look the market is recovering, but also because application for the machine is a buff er layer Smit Ovens has been installed here has phenomenal very promising. We aren’t just making great Employing three spearheads, Solliance we’re diversifying as a company. We’ve for CIGS and in the future it will make barrier scope through which you can make an progress with regard to applications, but will take off to the international top, being: taken an important step this year to fi nd functions and display applications possible. • Thermal process solutions for high unprecedented number of applications in effi ciency too. The gap with crystalline • Process development and new sectors like smart windows and printed To this end, we will be making additional volume manufacturing for thin fi lms here in Eindhoven. There is silicon solar cells is closing all the time. manufacturing technology for the electronics for the technologies that we investments in process development. • Thin fi lm solar solutions: nowhere else on the planet where this is all Whereas they have appeared to have almost ‘roll-to-roll’ manufacture of thin-fi lm have in-house. And automotive applications - Crystallization for CIGS possible. We also intend to attract European run their course, thin fi lm has a promising solar cells; for the roll-to-roll manufacture of batteries ALD - Zn(O,S) buff er layer deposition funding for new innovation projects.’ future ahead.’ • Development, scaling up and for electric cars is yet another opportunity As already mentioned, Zijlmans expects - Deposition and activation for CdTe Whether Willems will be tackling all these demonstration of manufacturing for our technologies.’ - and only then can he be satisfi ed - that • Contact fi ring important challenges is still the question. One of the extra possibilities of thin-fi lm technologies for thin fi lm PV; Spin-off or not, Smit Ovens continues the in the coming year among thin-fi lm • Glass for solar: The Solliance managing director has already solar cells is that they are made to measure, • Architecturally integrated solar PV for investment in innovation in PV technology manufacturers even more manufacturing - TCO for CdTe and thin fi lm silicon announced his departure, because he thinks matching the size of the fi nal product. smart buildings. undeterred. Zijlmans: ‘A good example is capacity will be created. ‘We’re putting - Strengthening and toughening that it’s time for a new managing director In an innovation project, together with a the crystallisation of CIGS for which we are more and more production tools in the

16 17 COLUMN We got Sunshine in the Music…. ; and there’s Music in the Sunshine (Business)

Allow me to mention mister Jimmy Cliff , ready to co-create, co-develop, build and with his classic, laid-back reggae song maintain your assets and connect to your ‘Sunshine in the Music’ (1983). Many business model where and when needed; pop songs draw on the sun as source almost anywhere around the world; of inspiration and subject for the lyrics. • I will not boast that our organization Mankind is undeniably consumed with and our direct neighbours, too, have the power of the Sun and adoring her signifi cant funds of millions of Euros (I’m quite sure the Sun is female) through ready to invest in (fl edgling) solar music dates back to our tribal origins. technology development and business cases, start-up companies and the We have a saying in Dutch ‘Daar zit implementation of small and large for improved performance in solar energy muziek in’ , which is understood to mean scale (solar) projects and that you could something like: that person, product or consider joining us; even business ‘sounds promising’ or has • I will not promote Holland High Accurately measuring solar radiation is the key to finding optimal locations, helping investment decisions, maximising operating the potential to be very successful. Tech; many Dutch companies and efficiency, scheduling maintenance, monitoring performance and improving technology. knowledge institutes in the high tech As a columnist, you are supposed to sector are joining forces with the As the experts, we develop high quality instruments for solar radiation measurements such as the well-known CMP series pyranometers, write, refl ect and inspire creatively intention of discovering solutions for the CHP 1 pyrheliometer and the SOLYS 2 sun tracker. instead of just rolling out fact-based the challenges we face in the areas of

advertising extolling the strengths of mobility, health, renewable energy, Stop by booth B16 at EU PVSEC 2014 in Amsterdam to get a closer look and meet the experts or visit www.kippzonen.com to learn more. your country, region, city, team, company security, and climate change… The Netherlands • France • United States of America • Singapore or neighbours. So let me tell you fi rst of all what I am NOT going to elaborate on: Instead, I will try to be brief, less formal, • I will not repeat that Holland is a think out-of-the-box, keep your intention pleasant, perhaps even excellent, in mind, fi gure out what point, vision or country to do business in and from, ambition I am almost ready to share with and that Dutch people are engaging; you in this column… • I will not extoll the virtues of the South e.g. the province of Noord Brabant has Hold on, fasten your seatbelts, put on many innovative technology (solar) your sunglasses: WE NEED YOU to become companies. Knowledge institutes like successful and happy TOGETHER in the solar Solliance/ECN, Eindhoven University business. We need you as a partner, customer, of Technology and TNO are based in investor, quibbler, mirror, benchmark or the South and are ready for connected purely as friends, enjoying good old music innovations; and a cold drink in the sunshine… • I will not harp on about the fact that leading global solar players have We got sunshine in the music a considerable amount of Dutch Saw the power in the song production equipment installed in their We got sunshine in the music factories for the most cost-eff ective Music keeps me full of love manufacture of their PV products; • I will not keep on about our splendidly Michel Weeda organized high tech supply chain Program Manager High Tech & Services networks that are the best in the world; BOM Business Development

19 Several players in the solar energy business such as ECN, SunCycle, Solliance, SRB Energy, TULiPPS Tempress Systems introduces third Solar, SEAC and EIT KIC InnoEnergy already enjoy the advantages of being located at the Campus. TURNING With knowledge providers such as Holst Centre and Philips Innovation Services, the expertise is generation n-type solar cell and HD-POCl enriched. Finally, the state-of-the-art technical facilities complete the high tech ecosystem in the 3 QUESTIONS field of solar. HERE AT THE FOCAL POINT OF ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE AND HEIGHTENED SKILLS, THINKING AND CREATING KNOW NO LIMITS. TECHNOLOGY BECOMES BUSINESS, WITH COMPLETE FACILITY SUPPORT IN A CULTURE OF CREATIVITY.

Third generation manufacturing equipment for the solar cell type n-PASHA, the HD-POCl3 machine INTO HIGH TECH CAMPUS EINDHOVEN IS THE CATALYST THAT INITIATES AND ENCOURAGES and the PID-FREE PECVD technology. These are the three innovations that the Dutch machine THIS VIBRANT CULTURE. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE PATHS CROSS, IDEAS MEET ACTIONS, manufacturer Tempress Systems currently is working on. ‘The newest generation of n-PASHA AND INNOVATION ACCELERATES.IT IS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE BRIGHTEST AND THE BEST manufacturing technology produces a cell efficiencies of 20.5 percent average. Above all, the TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS. HERE, THE UNCONSCIOUS SEARCH REVEALS A CONSCIOUS increased activity in the market and the newest technologies opens up opportunities for in 2015’, ANSWERS DISCOVERY, WITH AN OPEN MIND TO THE WORLD AROUND AND THE ROAD AHEAD. according to Albert Hasper, General Manager at Tempress Systems B.V..

‘2014 can be described as a transitional Perfection us the opportunity to work with new year’, Hasper opens the conversation. The third generation n-type also utilizes customers Above all, the PECVD market is

TURNING TECHNOLOGY INTO BUSINESS ‘Where we originally thought it would ion implant technology. Hasper: ‘This an addressable market that is twice as big be a growth year, the growth appears has proved to be a good combination. as that for diffusion furnaces.’ to have shifted into 2015 or further into Together with the development of our www.hightechcampus.com/contact the future.’ manufacturing equipment for n-type solar What has not yet been mentioned is cells and our PECVD tool, this has resulted the HD-POCl3 machine that Tempress N-type in a large portion of the CapEx for the cell presented earlier this year at the SNEC in Although growth is a little later than manufacturing to be Amtech-Tempress China. This machine has a throughput of expected, Hasper has a positive view of equipment. All in all, this has increased in excess of 3,200 wafers per hour (WPH).

the future for Tempress, especially since our addressable market.’ ‘We’re taking the next step in POCl3 Creating solar his company supplies new technology The Potential Induced Degradation processing, using special chemistry and that facilitates the technology and (PID)-free Plasma Enhanced Chemical optimized hardware’, according to Hasper. the equipment to manufacture high- Vapour Deposition (PECVD) that Tempress ‘The coming year will be considered test environments efficiency n-type solar cells. Over the is offering is a solution with which a success if we manage to market this last few years, Tempress supplied the helps Tempress to introduce this new machine successfully. Market acceptance Chinese manufacturer Yingli Solar with its platform into the market. Hasper: ‘The is an important challenge here. After all, it manufacturing machines for the n-type new equipment and technology did give is yet another new process.’ silicon solar cells. Hasper: ‘With our first- generation machines, they manufacture the so-called PANDA-cell. They have now reached a production capacity of Solar Panel Test Chambers Performance to meet IEC 61215, 61646, more than 600 megawatt and the cell UL-1703 and similar test requirements type gives Yingli a roadmap beyond the 20% cell efficiency, which is important Customized humidity cabinets for them to increase margins in the with solar simulation module so cost competitive world of solar cell manufacturing.’ Espec In the meantime, Tempress kept on Standard temperature and humidity cabinets, developing the n-type Technology with laboratorie (cleanroom) ovens, climatic chambers, thermal schock chambers, vacuum ovens, ECN and other partners. Tempress and its measure systems and hast testers. partners are now involved in starting up the n-PASHA technology at MSE (Mission Solar Energy) in San Antonio in Texas. ‘The third generation n-PASHA technology, which now in R&D and pilot production Vluchtoord 23 • 5406 XP • Uden • The Netherlands has delivered an average cell efficiency +31 413 255 243 • [email protected] • www.hielkematest.nl of 20.5% and there is still a roadmap for further improvements.’

21 Dutch solar community starts large amount of new innovation projects

Two years ago, the Dutch government introduced the national Top Sector Policy, following the wishes of the European Union to actually select a limited number of industries for investment through the Top Consortia for Knowledge & Innovation (TKIs). The following solar projects have started since the PVSEC in Paris.

This calendar year, TKI Solar Energy organised 3. Zonnig Coolen (ZoCool!): In the ZoCool! challenge is the development of efficiency Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) masks and surface diffusions will have project Dutchness will be industrialized two rounds of tenders in which companies Project, a ZoCool! smart system will sustainable efficient modules comprising solar cell and module technology in the been integrated in the solar cell process. in this project. Secondly the focus will and knowledge institutes were invited to be developed that can control energy a sufficiently safe transparent surface with Netherlands. By the beginning of 2016, a 2. NChanted: the NChanted project aims be to develop additional processes and submit project proposals and grant requests. management for refrigeration in the fruit integrated PV cells. solar cell must have been developed with to continue to develop and demonstrate equipment for n-type front junction cells In the first round of tenders, grant requests sector. The system includes a DC supply a twenty-two to twenty-three percent low-cost and high-throughput process with efficiencies up to 22%. could be submitted until the 20th of May connected to: solar panels, a DC cooling Programme line WBS efficiency. In 2014 the design for the IBC technology for high efficiency n-type The companies involved in this project 2014 and in the second round of tenders until unit, a DC control system and an AC/ 1. IBChampion: IBChampion is being solar cell and module of which the cost solar cells. First of all, the focus will be all have stakes in the n-pasha technology the 16th of September 2014 through the DC transformer for integration with the headed by Levitech. With Tempress, ASM, per watt peak has been minimized is on understanding and implementing being developed further towards low Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland national grid. A DC supply has cheaper Roth & Rau, Eurotron, Meco, Eindhoven expected to be finalised. Through this, necessary improvements that can enable cost and high throughput technology, (RVO) website. The main themes of the components that are simpler, driving University of Technology, Delft University the quantity of silver for the contacts will 21% n-Pasha cells. Processes identified as their equipment will depend on this tenders are: technologies for (the manufacture down the energy costs considerably; of Technology and ECN also participating. have been considerably reduced. Partner as enabling higher efficiencies or lower to (further) penetrate the market. Where of) innovative PV cells and panels; and solar saving four to twelve percent. Above all, The consortium strives to develop a high- subprocesses like dielectric layers, etching costs in the currently running TKI Solar- Tempress will work on diffusion and power systems in urban environments. sustainable sources of energy like solar passivation equipment and methods, panels can be utilized without an extra Levitech will focus on spatial ALD TKI Solar Energy (Top Sector Energy) conversion step to transform the DC into equipment and processing of improved Programme line ZEGO AC. The project is being spearheaded passivating layers and ASM will focus on 1. WenSDak: the project Aesthetic Building by DNV GL and other participants are batch ALD equipment and processing of integrated Solar Heat and Electricity Roof Wageningen UR, DCBV, Van Kempen similar layers. Meco’s plating technology is (WenSDak) is focused on the accumulation koude techniek, Thermosmart, JC van required to replace the current state of art of knowledge concerning PVT concepts, a Kessel/Solar Comfort and Fruitpact. high-temperature metallisation steps, while combination of solar electricity and solar 4. HCPV-GO: the project Highly Roth & Rau BV will contribute to processes heat. The objective of the project is to Concentrated Sun on Photovoltaic (PV) for patterning of layers. The Technical analyse five different types of PVT systems. cells in Urban Environments (HCPV-GO) University Eindhoven (TU/e) will contribute To do this, pilot systems will be built and intends to maximise energy yield in with their knowledge on advanced surface researched and analysed side by side. The buildings and horticultural glass houses passivation schemes. TU/e will work project that is to be led by SCX Solar has with concentrated solar PV cells. The on novel passivation layers and stacks not yet commenced, but will start in the results are: electricity, thermal energy, for silicon solar cells to show that these near future. lighting and limiting heat discomfort in layers can add value to PV technology. 2. Integration organic PV in building the summer. The projects partners want ECN will focus on full integration of the and horticultural glass houses: the to have a list of solar tracking systems this new developed processes (emitter /BSF central objective of the various project calendar year, a selection for the most formation, patterning, passivation and partners under the supervision of TNO suitable system for urban environments metallization) in high efficiency n-Pasha is the development of product market and a working prototype of the solar cells, and on other high efficiency n-type combinations based on organic PV (OPV) tracking system. Participants include front junction cells. in both construction and horticultural glass Arnhem Nijmegen University of Applied 3. Pamplona: the aim in the Pamplona houses. The project includes companies Sciences (coordinator), DNV GL, IDeeuwes, project is to manufacture solar cells on Cz that will be selling products, knowledge NTS-Optel, Sika Energie and Bovema. wafers and multi-crystalline wafers with institutes – TNO, ECN, SEAC and Holst 5. PV-SIN: PV SolaRoad INfrastructure efficiencies of 20% and 18.5% respectively, Centre – and parties from the chain, like (PV-SIN) is the project within which TNO with a wafer thickness of 120 um (33% less housing corporations, that will purchase or (secretary), ECN, Femtogrid, Imtech, Ooms than current wafer thickness). Losses from utilise the products. In 2014 the programme Civiel, ProxEnergy and SEAC research cell-to-module will be reduced to zero of requirements will be determined for the technical challenges in the field of (currently 5%). The overall cost reduction each product market combination and OPV PV integration in roads surfaces. Most at module level will be 20% compared to samples will be made that demonstrate the importantly, a practical study is taking current state of the art. technical feasibility. place in Krommenie. The most significant >>>

22 23 >>>

To achieve these targets, new cell- and ECN, TNO and Eindhoven University vehicles as it cannot cope with the resulting module concepts are required, with the of Technology have joined forces. The high-peak demand. The objective of application of new materials, as well as partners want to combine two recently MisterGreen is to install fast-charge stations the development of the accompanying developed deposition techniques to at filling stations alongside the Dutch processes. Instead of using Ag and full demonstrate the production of more motorway network. Electric cars can be Levitech has restarted the steady climb: size Al, new metallisation processes in efficient cadmium-free CIGS and CZTS fully recharged inside thirty minutes with combination with an Al2O3 layer at the solar cells. This will also reduce the cost the help of solar energy. rear and improved front side diffusion/ price of the two manufacturing processes. 2. Smart Grid V2X Energy & Mobility ‘The ALD market will double passivation will be applied. This will be Large-scale demonstration equipment (V2X): in this Smart Grid Vehicle-to- done by combining the expertise of with a generic market perspective is being Grid (V2X) Energy & Mobility project, Tempress (diffusion processes), Meco developed for both techniques. a breakthrough will be made for the in the coming years’ (metal plating technology), Levitech wider deployment of electric vehicles (Al2O3 layer deposition) and ECN (solar TKI HTSM (High Tech Systems & Materials) with locally generated (solar) energy. cell design and processing) to integrate 1. LIMIET: ‘Light Management and Interface As a result, smart grids can be better all processes into improved solar cell Engineering for Highly Efficient and balanced and sustainable mobility will concepts with high efficiency. The optical Ultrathin CIGS Solar Cells’, or LIMIET for break through sooner. The project makes a and electrical losses from cell to module short, is the title of the project at Delft contribution to new hardware and control will be minimised, by designing the University of Technology. The project software for bi-directional rapid charging ‘The current market for ALD machines will double in the coming years due to the demand for module for optimum optical matching and aims to significantly increase the yield of and discharging for V2X. Ultimately, the high-efficiency solar cells. Asia with China, Taiwan and Japan will remain the biggest market.’ An using low temperature interconnection the new ultra-thin CIGS solar cell concept project wants to deliver significantly interview with Jaap Beijersbergen, chief executive officer with ALD specialist Levitech. processes with low losses. The module and reduce the cost of a solar electricity better control of energy grid management manufacturing processes will also be system. The major challenges for reducing through the connection of chargeable and suitable for thin wafers of 120 um. This will the thickness of the CIGS absorption dischargeable electric vehicles. As an ASMI spin-off, Levitech has for several current market for ALD machines will double At the EU PVSEC, Levitech will be holding a be achieved by combining the expertise layers are compensating for the lower 3. Monitoring and Management of years marketed two products: the Levitor and in size in the coming years. As soon as this poster presentation about the six parameters of Eurotron (module manufacturing light absorption and the increased relative Buildings for a Smart Grid (MOBEG): the Levitrack. The Levitor – a Rapid Thermal has matured, we intend to be one of the that can be influenced and that ensure the equipment and process) and ECN (module contribution of charge recombination to without detailed insight into the demand Processing system (RTP) that is supplied to major players.’ Even so, Beijersbergen cannot best performance for PERC solar cells (in design and testing). adjacent layers. The research activities will for electricity it is not possible to balance the semi-conductor industry – gives chip negate the fact that the entire solar industry combination with ALD technology). ‘This focus on new innovative configurations for supply and demand. This insight is wafers ultra-fast heat treatment using the – and tied into this the expected growth for poster is a summary of the six parameters and Programme line Thin Film rear and front contact. necessary for an optimum smart-grid combination of a floating wafer between Levitech – has experienced a delay as a result illustrates how you can take cell performance 1. FANTASTIC: Flexible Approach with approach. In the MOBEG project, Ipsum two massive heat blocks. The Levitrack is of the solar dip. ‘The worst of it is now truly a step forwards. We can also counter such New Technology, Advanced SysTems for TKI Switch2SmartGrids (Top Sector Energy) Energy and the University of Twente will an atom layer deposition system for the behind us. A light consolidation in the form parameters for other high-efficiency cell Integration of CIGS solar cells (FANTASTIC) develop a new Energy Management manufacturing of solar cells on the basis of mergers or takeovers will possibly take concepts – like n-type silicon and IBC.’ is the name of the innovation project in 1. Power by the sun: the hesitancy for taking System (EMS), based on an innovative of the same levitation wafer system that is place globally. In any case, we’ve withstood which CCM (coordinator), Smit Ovens, the plunge with electric vehicles stems approach to measuring the consumption employed in the Levitor. ‘The ALD market the last two years and are ready to jump Vacancies Roth & Rau, IBS Precision Engineering, chiefly from the problem of the limited of electricity inside and outside a building. for the deposition of aluminium oxide aboard the moving train.’ Now that the market implementation phase ECN and TNO are participating. The range of an electric car. This problem can The EMS to be developed will be able to (Al2O3) is slowly migrating to production’, has been reached, Beijersbergen believes that current production of thin film solar cells be relieved through the installation of determine the current volume of electricity Beijersbergen opens the conversation. ‘2013 PERC the time has arrived for Levitech to expand has a number of disadvantages. In this fast-charge stations. The current grid is not supplied to the building network, from for was a poor year with few sales, but we’ve With regard to technological development, its service organisation. ‘So that volume project, the new FANTASTIC concept will suitable for the rapid charging of electric example the solar panels. now started our steady climb. In 2014 we Beijersbergen has noticed that ALD has orders can be handled properly in the coming be demonstrated in which cigs and CZTS observed an important change among our started to enjoy a lot more interest for years. As a company, we now have offices in solar panels will be made by performing customers. The demand is shifting from single application in PERC solar cells. ‘There has China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, the United serial interconnection as a final process to multiple tools. This is partly due to the never really been much discussion about States, Germany, France and the Netherlands. step. It is a so-called back-end process increasing demands being made of product the operation of the ALD layer for PERC solar Although it’s without question that Asia with and comprises the ‘depth-selective laser manufacturers for high-efficiency solar cells. The contact through the Al2O3 layer China, Taiwan and Japan will continue to scribing’ step integrated with the inkjet cells. In a country like Japan, the market is had previously not been up to scratch. This lead the solar market, the American market is printing of insulating and conductive dominated by high-end products.’ is now the case, through which the Light strong and we’re seeing tentative movement in lines. The project resulted in a prototype Induced Degradation – the phenomenon Europe. This resulting from the trade conflicts manufacturing machine. Moving train that results in solar panel performance with China. All in all, we have every confidence 2. DESIRE: Dutch Equipment Solutions for Beijersbergen is pleased that his company deteriorating under the influence of sunlight that the orders will increase strongly in the Improved Renewable Energy (DESIRE) is is now actually witnessing an increasing over time – has been minimized. As a result, coming years. We are still on the lookout for the thin film solar cell project in which demand. ‘The first production tools have we’re the first to take ALD for this type of cell good people and we have vacancies for the Roth & Rau (coordinator), Smit Ovens, been installed in Taiwan and China. The into production.’ (inter)national expansion of our team.’

24 25 VDL ETG launches roll-to-roll production Besi delivers the first Meco mass tools in cooperation with its partners production system with plating technology for solar cells

VDL Enabling Technologies Group (VDL ETG) established its pioneering activity VDL FLOW ownership. Finally, the new machine could also in 2012 to address the roll-to-roll (R2R) web handling technologies for the manufacturing of easily accommodate a combination of roll-to- flexible electronics. Last June, VDL FLOW reached a significant milestone when it pre-installed roll and sheet-to-sheet (S2S) production steps a test production line for flexible organic solar cells at Solliance. An interview with Sorin Stan, if, for example, an oven is replaced by an S2S 2014 is the year in which the investment that Besi has made during the last few years has paid off. A few Program Manager Technology & Business Development at both VDL ETG and VDL FLOW. line and lamination/delamination processes years ago, the company decided to make its Meco plating technology suitable for the manufacturing process are inserted in between.’ for solar cells. Besi announced last year that in 2014 it expected to supply the first mass production system. Meanwhile the machine with a capacity of one hundred megawatt has left the factory in Drunen. VDL ETG acquired an international reputation market is that of OEMs active in machine Technological fields in the solar industry through the supply of building. We want to become a partner for Stan mentions that the technological field parts and equipment to various leading them in the development and supply of under which the Solliance’s OPV machine falls Besi’s product range of Meco plating systems original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) parts, modules, and even entire tools for – roll-to-roll printing and coating – bears the brings down the cost price of crystalline silicon and through the design and manufacturing flexible electronics equipment. A partnership nickname ‘Canopus’ at VDL ETG.‘ In addition, solar cells by replacing the high cost silver of pilot and series production equipment for with OEMs reflects, in fact, the business VDL ETG works on another novel concept fingers and busbars with copper, which is many other industries. The solar business is model of VDL ETG. Finally, until the adequate as well through its VDL FLOW technology available at approximately 1% of the cost of preparing itself to make use of the newest thin- partnerships with OEMs can be established, program’, he explains. ‘Under the name silver. Plating is the wet chemical deposition film technologies like those based on organic the new R2R tools might also find their way Centaurus, we are developing a roll-to-roll of a thin metal layer onto a (conductive) materials deposited on flexible substrates. The directly to the manufacturers of end products atomic layer deposition (ALD) tool that relies surface. There is a worldwide installed base knowledge and expertise in designing and like flexible OPV and CIGS, flexible displays and on an idea initially implemented at TNO in of more than 700 Meco plating systems for building web handling equipment motivated OLED lighting, sensors, bendable batteries, etc.’ Eindhoven. Smit Ovens, also based in the applications in various industries, of which VDL ETG to start working on tool concepts Eindhoven region, has also become a partner solar photovoltaic is becoming a key market. for flexible electronics, in general. VDL FLOW, ‘One of the important milestones we reached in this R2R endeavour to transfer its ALD Meco plating products are supplied by the as a dedicated technology program led by with the machine for Solliance is that it can process knowledge to the machine being Besi Group, which has more than forty years Huib van den Heuvel at VDL ETG, engaged in print and coat with a high accuracy. We developed at VDL ETG. The uniqueness of this of experience in developing plating systems the initial development of high-performance implemented new mechatronic concepts new tool stems from the ALD taking place for the semiconductor, automotive, connector R2R manufacturing equipment. ‘The greatest that have led to scratchless manufacturing at atmospheric pressure and from the fact and smartcard industries. challenge in production machines for flexible of the final products. Due to the fact that the that the flexible substrate is not touched at and printed electronics is that these combine substrate is turned ninety degrees toward all during the process (like it is also the case TCO conventional processes established for printing the process drum while it is also partially with the R2R Canopus line). The elimination ‘The order portfolio is currently well filled’, and chemical coating with new specifications transported by airflow, neither side of the of vacuum conditions leads to a scalable, observe a proud Rudiger Lange, the managing metallization using a Meco plating machine we created a brand that is well-known in for producing electronic circuits’, Stan explains. substrate is touched. As a result, the tool high-efficiency and high-yield manufacturing director of Besi’s plating business and Martijn will lead to an enormous reduction in cost the industry. In parallel, we will continue to As a matter of fact, FLOW stands for Functional could potentially deposit functional layers on technology extremely suitable for barrier layers Zwegers, Product Manager Solar at Besi. per Watt. This is where we can gain compared innovate together with the R&D institutes to Layers On Web. ‘With a strong background in both sides of the flexible foil. A third unique and for the general encapsulation of solar cells ‘Our technology for high-efficiency solar to standard solar cells based on p-type aggressively reduce the cost of making solar the electronics and semiconductor market, feature is that our approach doesn’t require and other types of flexible electronic products. cells appears to be very interesting to the material and screen printing metallization. cells with our plating technology.’ we’re able to establish the boundaries and a large cleanroom to contain the complete The interest for this concept emerged from solar industry. Our target are cells with an Our machines require little maintenance and requirements that are important for such R2R machine. Turning the web ninety degrees the Eindhoven region is steadily increasing efficiency of more than twenty percent, like due to its inline nature they can be easily CIGS machines, which we intend to eventually supply toward the printing/coating drum allows the worldwide. A third R2R technological field is n-type, hetero junction and bifacial cells. All integrated into existing production lines, And what if Lange is satisfied in a couple of to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).’ drying ovens to be placed perpendicularly to primarily being developed at the business new investments in manufacturing capacity replacing traditional screen printing systems.’ years? One of the new potential markets for the conventional R2R direction and, hence, unit VDL ETG Projects and is nicknamed Sirius. are aiming at higher efficiency and lower cost. Besi is that of thin film solar cells. Lange: ‘We’ve Markets also outside of a much smaller cleanroom built This business focuses on customized roll-to- And this is where our machines can make a ‘We are offering a number of products for developed a machine for CIGS cells that is According to Stan, there are several market around the process and inspection stations roll back-end of line (BEOL) solutions that tangible contribution.’ the solar market. Pilot production machines ninety-five percent complete. We are able to segments targeted by VDL ETG. First of all, only. A fourth benefit is that the machine’s are required for the separation of individual Meco has also made important progress are used by a number of R&D institutes replace conventional vacuum deposition of dedicated research organisations like Solliance ovens, placed perpendicularly to the roll-to- products from the long flexible foil, followed during the last year through its cooperation and industrial labs. We are working with the CIGS layer by plating of the active layer at the High tech Campus in Einhoven the roll-section, can be easily extended to scale up by their measurement, sorting, packaging etc.’ with R&D institutes like IMEC and ECN, most major players to validate plating for stack. Both, our research collective Solliance R&D departments at various companies need with higher production speeds or can even be Stan concludes: ‘All in all, VDL Enabling according to Lange. ‘IMEC recently presented their future cell production. With the first and a commercial customer are obtaining customized R2R equipment. ‘The second replaced with other types of curing stations at Technologies Group, through its business units an n-type solar cell with 21.5 percent 100 MW mass production system, which excellent results with our tool. As soon as the segment is formed by chemical companies. any time. The immediate benefit of the new and VDL FLOW program stands strongly with efficiency. Our plating technology contributes was recently installed, we are creating a CIGS market definitively opens up, we will They supply plastic substrates and many R2R concept is that the R&D of solar cells and its partners at the dawn of a new industry: to this result. We are noticing that the market reference in the market which will help to ensure that this process machine will become functional materials that are needed in the other flexible electronic products can easily manufacturing flexible electronic products by is increasingly becoming aware of the added build trust and credibility in our systems and a commercial success, just like the other solar industry and in the emerging industry be converted into pilot and eventually mass means of novel roll-to-roll production tools value of plating technology: the substantially processes. Twenty years ago we approached products that we have brought into various of flexible electronics’, Stan clarifies. ‘A third production at high yields and low cost of optimized for quality and high yield.’ reduced cost of ownership for the the semicon market in the same way and high tech industries in the past years.’

26 27 SoLayTec predicts a doubled sales of ALD tools DSM solar cell foil almost ripe for commercialisation

SoLayTec’s spatial ALD technology and corresponding production machines increasingly fulfi l their promise in achieving higher solar cell effi ciency results on production level, as for example for PERC solar cells. Various leading solar manufacturers are achieving higher solar cell effi ciency results based on SoLayTec’s ALD machines. In addition to SoLayTec’s research tool, ‘The solar industry is still young, alive and kicking. Creativity is really quite explosive in the SoLayTec has recently made its mass production tool available, where ten machines in total sector. There is such an enormous amount to be innovated. We want to and can make an have already been delivered. ‘We strongly predict to double this number annuall’, according to important contribution to this, with for example our light-trapping foil.’ An interview with Roger Görtzen, Co-founder, and marketing and sales director at SoLayTec. Oscar Goddijn, vice-president Advanced Surfaces with the multi-national DSM.

‘SoLayTec’s customers are achieving increasing ALD machines. ‘SoLayTec has four to fi ve compared to vendors of PECVD AlOx and Last spring, DSM announced that it intended solar cell effi ciency results based on Spatial customers who are willing to repeat orders. batch ALD Al2O3.’ to participate in the Solliance CIGS-research

ALD Al2O3, continues Görtzen. ‘A Chinese Currently, these customers are on pilot level programme. Both parties have signed a customer has achieved a maximum solar for PERC solar cells and are transfering to Reliability three-year cooperative agreement with the cell effi ciency increase of 0.8% absolute with industrial mass production of PERC solar Görtzen is confi dent about the future. objective of developing new solutions for a pilot production machine for spatial ALD cells.. Over the last twelve months, we have Currently, it is diffi cult to predict if SoLayTec will solar panels. Goddijn about joining: ‘Through

Al2O3. based on p-type multi crystalline-Si sold fi ve machines and we predict to double supply more machines to the European solar Solliance, we make eff ective use of the great PERC solar cells compared to the standard this number each year from now on. To cell manufacturing market. ‘I have established volume of knowledge and expertise within Al BSF solar cell. This results in a solar cell realise this target, it is not only imperative that China will remain our biggest market. other companies, start-ups, universities and effi ciency of 18.8% for a multi-crystalline solar that we demonstrate our added value for However, Chinese solar cell manufacturers knowledge organisations. All this to fulfi ll our cell based on PERC technology. Note that PERC solar cells, but also for other advanced are planning to shift solar cell production own ambition: supplying energy as cheaply as 18.8% solar cell effi ciency based on multi- solar cell concepts like n-type solar cells. On outside China, as for example to Malaysia, possible and manufacturing it as sustainably crystalline silicon material is an excellent result the one hand, SoLayTec’s machine sales are Vietnam and USA. Note that also the solar cell as possible. An initiative like Solliance is compared to the n-type cell concept nPasha, important, but on the other hand it is crucial manufacturing market in Japan is booming. important for getting the knowledge that we which has currently been levelled off at 19.5%.’ that SoLayTec’s customers achieve suffi cient Where China has continued with production of have in the Netherlands to the market place solar cell effi ciency gain with the spatial ALD solar cells based on p-type Si material , Japan is and to reinforce the position our country still

Follow-up order Al2O3. machines. Various customers have regularly opting to sell SoLayTec’s machines for has in the fi eld of solar together with other But according to Görtzen, the success of demonstrated that SolayTec’s process of ALD solar cells based on n-type Si material, because parties. Materials have a key role to play of light into electricity.’ In this search, DSM foil technology comes in unison with a new

SoLayTec’s machine is not exclusive to Al2O3. delivers 0.3% absolute higher solar of its distinct capacity.’ here. Not just the quality of the individual stumbled across SolarExcel last year. The business model. DSM considers to make the multi-crystalline solar cells. ‘Another cell effi ciency than PECVD AlOx. In addition, Görtzen determines: ‘SoLayTec’s roadmap materials, but in fact the smart combination company bought the solar start-up because product available free of charge to major solar

Chinese customer has achieved 1.0% spatial ALD Al2O3. of SolayTec results in a predicts the supply of at least ten machines of materials can contribute markedly in wins it saw a lot of potential in SolarExcel’s light- park operators (more than twenty thousand absolute solar cell effi ciency increase for lower TMA usage and lower other running per year. In addition, the challenge for for sustainable energy. This is exactly where trapping foil. This foil increases the energy yield panels). In exchange for this, the company is

PERC technology including ALD Al2O3. costs compared to PECVD AlOx. When one the coming year will be ensuring that our DSM’s knowledge resides. We used to produce from the solar cells and therewith reduces to share the profi t from the higher volume based on monocrystalline silicon solar cells considers this in terms of a production machines in the fi eld continue to run stable ingredients and semi-fi nished products, the cost of electricity produced. Goddijn: ‘This of energy. There is a lot of interest, according compared to the standard Al BSF solar capacity of 100MW, SoLayTec’s machines and demonstrating that we have a reliable and now also include fi nished products technology ensures that light falling from an to Goddijn. ‘The interest in these types of cells. This result has led to a subsequent lead to a benefi t of one million euro annually product. Moreover, in tandem with doubling comprising multiple components.’ angle is projected even better onto the solar new technology is large, providing it reduces order of SoLayTec’s production machine compared to PECVD AlOx. At three diff erent the sales, you need to set up a professional cell. Minute three-dimensional structures in the cost of energy or at least bring it in line by this customer. SoLayTec’s machines can customers, SoLayTec’s machines for spatial service organisation, which is planned to be Light trapping the form of upright cubic corners – ‘corner with the cost of electricity that comes out be applied in diff erent advanced solar cell ALD Al2O3. have outperformed PECVD done by RENA GmbH.’ Over the last decades, DSM has acquired a cubes’ – bend the light towards the solar cells of the wall socket. It is evident that these concepts. Currently, many customers of AlOx. These are encouraging substantial body of knowledge in the fi eld and capture the light that is refl ected. The applications will arrive at the marketplace

SoLayTec use spatial ALD Al2O3. for p-type results, reinforce SoLayTec’s of anti-refl ection coating and light-trapping result is that all the light is caught in the solar even without grants and subsidies. I expect silicon solar cells, but the ALD Al2O3. of belief that spatial ALD technologies. DSM’s anti-refl ective glass panel and subsequently transformed into that light-trapping technologies will become SoLayTec’s machines can also be applied technology has coating KhepriCoat places a thin layer on the electrical energy. This technology increases very popular for s olar PV panels. Thanks to to increase the solar cell effi ciency of solar made defi nitely solar panel cover plate. This coating ensures the productivity of the solar cell, and yet only a our participation in Solliance, we can develop cells based on n-type silicon material, as a breakthrough that the sunlight is not refracted and that no very thin layer is necessary.’ and evaluate already tested applications for example, PERT (Passivated Emitter, Rear in solar cell refl ection occurs. With as a result maximum further. We intend to accelerate the market Totally Diff used) solar cells, Interdigitated manufacturing light yield and optimum electron production. Accelerate penetration of solar energy through increasing Back Contact solar cells, possibly also in because of ‘An elegant way of improving the effi ciency DSM is currently involved in the extensive the effi ciency of solar panels and reducing the combination with ion-implant.’ the effi ciency of solar panels’, according to Goddijn. ‘This testing of the light-trapping foil. Goddijn manufacturing costs. We bring together the According to Görtzen, the absolute priority gain and success was the reason why we went in search expects to be able to market the fi rst best of the knowledge institutes and industry for SoLayTec is the delivery of more spatial costs decrease of other ways to infl uence the transformation commercial version by the end of 2014. This to create new products with record yields.’

28 29 Lamers High Tech Systems chemical TULiPPS gets a step closer to introduction distribution systems broadens its of long life high-efficiency PV modules turn-key installation portfolio The Dutch solar start-up TULiPPS gained speed at introducing her new COSMOS technology for the production of long life high-efficiency PV modules. Earlier this year a consortium led by TULiPPS received a 4 million euro funding from the European Commission. Before the end of 2014 the COSMOS technology will be applied in several public demonstration projects.

Lamers High Tech Systems (an Aalberts Industries company) has supplied the The funding of the European Commission delivers unique plug-and-play products for and certification organizations. Working semiconductor and LED and OLED industry for more than 25 years with gas and chemical Key competences TULiPPS received is granted to build and flat roofs as well as BIPV pitched roofs and together, we will integrate all these leading- distribution systems and control skids. From a pure installation company many years ago, Lamers High Tech Systems demonstrate durable lightweight multi- cladding applications.’ edge technologies into a multifunctional Lamers has enlarged its capabilities and portfolio with basic design, detail engineering, functional PV modules and systems. ‘Our Stassen continues: ‘In the SUMMIT module platform that provides a remarkable construction and validation of installations as well as OEM systems for high-purity gases Turn-key installations: lightweight solar PV module technology consortium we have brought together combination of value-added features that and chemicals. For a number of years, the company has also actively offered these services • Gas & chemical infrastructures, and installation method enables a new the best partners representing the most have never been packaged together before. and products to the solar industry. The company developed an evaporation cabinet for distribution and control panels, generation of module and mounting system innovative PV module technologies We will demonstrate just how valuable and ALD and CVD OEM’s. Lamers also completed a number of turn-key installation projects, from concept to commissioning made to fit any building and having superb currently available. This consortium powerful that combination is, and at the amongst which a complete installation for a new solar facility in the Middle East with all of • Turn Key installation & hook-up aesthetics’, explain Paul Stassen, CEO of represents the entire module supply chain, same time we are building the required its gas and chemical storage and distribution systems. of equipment TULiPPS. ‘Our technology can be used for from upstream equipment suppliers, to production equipment and tools for high • Gas cabinets and chemical supply both silicon and thin film PV modules and downstream EPC firms and even testing volume industrial manufacturing.’ Systems witnessing increasing orders from the solar • Complete testing and validation prior industry. For example, the gas and chemical to start up distribution systems for a new solar cell factory in the Middle East were supplied (Sub)assemblies for OEMs: Q1 this year. More importantly, Lamers acts • R&D for custom products as the appointed supplier of evaporation and assemblies Eternal Sun, Hielkema, ReRa Solutions and cabinets and distribution panels for a • Engineering and manufacturing from number of solar OEM’s for ALD and CVD prototype to production systems applications. ‘Evaporation cabinets for metal • Purification and assembling under Solliance develop solar testing system organic vapour supply are becoming more cleanroom conditions popular in the solar equipment industry, • Supply subassemblies and vaporizer Lamers is renowned, also internationally, and gaining market share similar to the solutions for liquid precursors A Dutch consortium – consisting of Eternal Sun, Hielkema Testequipment, Rera for its role as a supplier and development semiconductor equipment market. • Testing (FAT/SAT), qualification and Solutions and Solliance partners ECN and TNO – are developing a climate chamber partner for European equipment ‘Last year, we have completed the certification with AAA-class accuracy simulated sunlight to simultaneously test performance and manufacturers in the semiconductor integration of ECP personnel and activities’, degradation of all types of solar cells and mini-modules. This unique combination is industry. ‘We supply them with gas and adds Age Leijenaar, Sales & Marketing able to gather information which is at the moment unattainable. The equipment is liquid distribution systems and high Manager at Lamers High Tech Systems. This expected to become commercially available in the first half of 2015. purity machine parts’, explains managing company was active in the solar market further expand our international activities. director Nico Nieuwland. ‘They value and supplied chemical storage, control, We’ve recently been pleased to welcome our quality and understand that gas and distribution and dispensing equipment to orders from the United Kingdom and The new hybrid test setup will be based and mini-modules. The ultimate objective existing IEC-tests as well as new developed chemical distribution is a complex and several European solar cell factories. During the Middle East. In Germany, we’re more on an existing model, which is already in of the joint project is to gain new insights test procedures, with the use of one single crucial business. They have selected us the EU PVSEC in Amsterdam, we will be active than ever before. A trend here is that use by TNO for 3 years. The combination in the behaviour of all types of solar cells test setup, and enables them to gain new as a development partner because gas presenting our patented IBC handler as a we are increasingly engaged as a first- of climate chamber and solar simulator and mini-modules. The new hybrid test insights into the behaviour of all types of PV distribution is an important part of the part of our safe and reliable distribution tier development partner by the bigger is used for research on the performance setup is able to simultaneously cells and mini-modules. manufacturing process. ‘If you don’t treat proposition for gas and chemicals for the machine builders. They engage us so that and degradation of CIGS cells at the new measure performance and gas and chemicals distribution right, there solar industry.’ we can take the entire gas- and chemical Solliance facility at the High Tech Campus degradation. As such, the are severe safety- and operational risks.’ A distribution off their hands. If, as an in Eindhoven. The new hybrid test setup combination is able to gather good supply system design in combination Internationalization OEM, you want to supply high volumes, a is a combination of a modified climate data which was previously with in-house manufacturing by specialists Nieuwland and Leijenaar expect that the network of reliable suppliers is imperative. chamber, a multi cell IV-measurement unattainable. This new data may improve the uptime of the total system, positive direction that has been forecasted Through thinking in terms of modules system and a large area solar simulator. enables new research, focused and reduce unscheduled downtime. by the solar industry experts will become rather than components, you can migrate This simulator uses an array of lamps on the performance of cells increasingly visible this year and will to a higher level of integration, reliability to produce AAA-class (<2% accurate) and mini-modules during Global Ambition continue in the coming year. ‘2015 will and output. This approach can also help sunlight which is used to provide nearly the degradation process. The Now that the end of the crisis in the solar undoubtedly be a better year than 2014. In the solar industry achieve shorter lead flawless performance and degradation hybrid test setup enables market appears to be in sight, Lamers is the meantime, we’re organising ourselves to times and reduce exposure. measurements of all types of solar cells Solliance to perform most

30 31 COLUMN BIPV: from promise to breakthrough 2014

‘London Walkie Talkie Tower Hot enough massive adoption within fi ve years. The to Fry Eggs’. This was an intriguing headline main reason for this prediction is that the in the newspapers last year. It referred to a stakeholders (bipv industry, construction new built skyscraper with a concave design. industry, governmental bodies) have been Beams of sunlight were concentrated onto working systematically to eliminate the September PV SEC Amsterdam a hot spot on the street. A local reporter barriers for bipv adoption. The Netherlands is fried the egg sunny side up, and doing playing a key role in this. so he playfully brought the unintended multifunctionality of the building to the Firstly the variety of available bipv products attention of the public! has increased enormously, in a way that fi ts the requirements and decision processes Multifunctionality of buildings - combining of the building sector. In the product classical building functionality with design of new bipv products the added the harvesting of solar energy - is not value of the product for the market has something new. Probably the form been taken as the leading mantra. As an most spoken of is building integrated example we mention the Aerspire energy photovoltaics (bipv): a smart combination roof that combines aesthetics with cost of construction functionality with eff ectiveness and multifunctionality. solar electricity generation. This bipv We notice that on the second aspect as approach defi nes pv as an integral mentioned above, the recent introduction building component and as such as an of the new NEN 7120 has led to a complete architecturally relevant building block. comprehensive overview of reuirements for a bipv product. This comes together with The pv sector talks about bipv since at least the simplifi ed energy label for dwellings, 25 years. Why did the often anticipated the improvement of the EPC requirements market boom not happen so far? The fi rst per 2015 for new buildings and the reason may be that – in spite of technology stimulation of energy label improvements options off ered by module producers – this by renovation. Bipv off ers in many cases an off ering has not yet been on the required attractive option to reach these targets. levels of variety and ease of application. Architects do not fi nd a choice of bipv The third aspect (bipv cost) has also shown options in their library of building elements. a breakthrough, mainly driven by the cost Decision procedures for implementation roadmap of the underlying pv base material. of bipv in a building design are a complex Now the turn-key price of modern bipv interplay between architects, investors, solutions is in the 200-400 €/m2 range, builders, planners and consultants. The fact comparable to other high-end façade and that bipv is as well a construction element roof solutions. (builders responsibility) as a part of the energy system (installers responsibility) The notion that applying bipv also implies a makes it even more complex. cost saving has now been widely adopted. An The second aspect to be mentioned is interesting example is the prefab integrated the rapid change and thus uncertainty of PV solution for renovation as developed regulations for applying bipv and how bipv by Zonnepanelen Parkstad together with may contribute to the targets on building Unilin and SEAC. This solution supplies energy performance. typically an upgrade of energy label F to B in The following pages give an overview of As a third barrier we have to consider the a straightforward renovation by combining organisations and companies active in cost of bipv. Cost is substantially higher improved roof insulation with PV at a very the PV-solar value chain. In view of fast than the traditionally applied standard pv attractive cost per m2. Indeed, step by developments in the PV-solar industry, it system, while the cost saving due to the step all lights are switching to green for a was impossible to make a suitable specifi c fact that bipv replaces other construction breakthrough of bipv. A lovely opportunity model in which all possible PV-solar material has so far insuffi ciently been for innovation and entrepreneurship in The technologies are mentioned. For this reason incorporated in the decision models. Netherlands and abroad! a three-step model has been chosen, with each step coupled to equipment and Nevertheless we predict a strong market Wiep Folkerts knowledge center. An indication (the red growth for bipv products leading to Solar Energy Application Centre lines) is given per company in which part of the value chain they are active.

32 A-B-T bv Brabant Development Agency

A-B-T bv is a fl ow The Brabant R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy specialist with a broad (Universities , Institutes etc.) Development Agency (Universities , Institutes etc.) portfolio of fl owmeters, (BOM) joins relevant based on diff erent parties in the solar measuring principles. value chain to develop Materials & Materials & (Integrated) (Integrated) High performance, Semi finished Cel initiatives and projects Semi finished Cel Panel Panel cost eff ective solutions products to build a strong products are off ered for gas and international PV cluster. liquid applications in Partners include semiconductor and PV Equipment Equipment Equipment companies such as Equipment Equipment Equipment & & & & & & industry. Customised Supplies Supplies Supplies Fujifi lm, Philips, NTS Supplies Supplies Supplies products with special Group and academia materials, process connection, construction, etc. are also possible. such as Imec and Eindhoven University of Technology. BOM has helped hundreds of foreign companies initiate or expand operations in Brabant. We provide high quality services free of charge to any organisation interested in establishing solar activities in Brabant. Please feel free to contact us.

A-B-T bv Brabant Development Agency (BOM) Ron van Dooren Michel Weeda

Maidstone 28 F. +31-13-5216236 P.O. Box 3240 F. +31 88 83 11 121 NL-5026 SK, Tilburg E. [email protected] NL-5003 DE Tilburg E. [email protected] T. +31-13-5287225 I. www.a-b-t.nl T. +31 88 83 111 51 I. www.bom.nl

Bronkhorst High-Tech BV Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN)

Bronkhorst High-Tech BV ECN is the largest R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy has 30 years experience (Universities , Institutes etc.) energy research (Universities , Institutes etc.) in designing and institute in the manufacturing precise Netherlands. With and reliable mass fl ow around 500 members Materials & Materials & (Integrated) (Integrated) Semi finished Cel Semi finished Cel and pressure meters and Panel of staff , we are active Panel products products controllers. In solar cell in projects both at fabrication Bronkhorst home and abroad, in mass fl ow controllers are joint eff orts with the Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment applied for highly accurate, & & & industry, government & & & repeatable and fast control Supplies Supplies Supplies authorities and Supplies Supplies Supplies of process gases and liquids. research institutes. Our ‘CEM’-System (Controlled-Evaporation-Mixing) is an accurate and Solar power: together with manufacturers of solar panels, effi cient vapor fl ow control system that can be applied for atmospheric production equipment and materials, we ensure that the latest or vacuum processes, e.g. for coating on polymer fi lms or thin metal scientifi c insights are applied in useful concepts for solar cells, foils for fl exible PV cells or depositing silicon nitride passivation layers for modules and processes. The challenge is to make solar power multi crystalline solar cells. cheaper and making it more broadly deployable. ECN launches new back-contact silicon cells and modules @EUPVSEC - stand C13.

Bronkhorst High-Tech BV Energy research Centre of the Netherlands Wout van ’t Wel Jan Bultman

Nijverheidsstraat 1A F. +31 573 458 808 Westerduinweg 3 F. +31 88 5158214 NL-7261AK Ruurlo E. [email protected] NL-1755 LE Petten E. [email protected] T. +31 573 458 800 I. www.bronkhorst.com T. +31 88 5154786 I. www.ecn.nl

35 Hielkema Testequipment B.V. High Tech Campus Eindhoven - ‘Turning Technology into Business’ NTS-Group ReRa Solutions B.V.

Hielkema Testequipment High Tech Campus Eindhoven is the smartest km² in The The NTS-Group is system ReRa Solutions has R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy B.V. is specialised as a (Universities , Institutes etc.) Netherlands with more than 135 companies, startups and supplier in high tech (Universities , Institutes etc.) built up many years (Universities , Institutes etc.) partner of the company institutes. Some 10,000 researchers, developers and entrepreneurs industry. The company of experience in Espec to the sales and are working on developing future technologies and products assumes responsibility the development service of climatic test that will aff ect the lives of billions of people. The ecosystem of for the development, of complete PV Materials & Materials & Materials & (Integrated) (Integrated) (Integrated) chambers, thermal Semi finished Cel open collaboration helps Campus based companies to accelerate creation and optimization Cel Measurement Systems Semi finished Cel Panel Panel Panel shock chambers, walk- products innovation, by off ering easy access to high tech facilities and of opto-mechatronic products and tooling (IV-curves, products in chambers and other international networks. systems and modules for Quantum Effi ciency, devices and systems for leading original equipment Lifetime). Besides environmental simulation. Equipment Equipment Equipment Campus companies (a.o. Philips, NXP, IBM, Intel) strategically decide manufacturers (OEMs). In Equipment Equipment Equipment complete systems and Equipment Equipment Equipment & & & & & & & & & Moreover our product Supplies Supplies Supplies what knowledge, skills and R&D facilities they share in order to the Solar market we are Supplies Supplies Supplies equipment, we off er Supplies Supplies Supplies range includes chambers achieve faster, better and more customer-oriented innovation in the preferred D&E and consultancy, software build according customer requirements, stability chambers to the application fi elds Health, Energy and Smart Environments. manufacturing partner for handling and transferring equipment. and measurement ICH guidelines, battery test and solar panel test chambers. At our Located at the heart of Brainport, Campus companies are The NTS-Group is a chain of specialized companies in the Netherlands, equipment design. This unique combination results in excellent headquarters in Uden, the Netherlands, we have our production responsible for nearly 40% of all Dutch patent applications. the Czech Republic, Singapore and China. This unique concentration measurement systems that facilitate the research on solar cells. The plant for custom build equipment, service and spareparts centre, of strength on an international level means that customers can deliver knowledge of solar cell measurement interpretation is what makes testlab and showroom. high-quality machines to their market in a shorter turnaround time and ReRa Solutions unique. Products & Services: Quantum Effi ciency at competitive prices. NTS-Group: Accelerating your business! Measurement Solutions (SpeQuest); IV-Curve Measurement Solutions (Tracer 3); Reference cells (Silicon, GaAs, Triple- junction, KG-fi ltered); (Customized) Probestations; Non-Uniformity Arrays. Hielkema Testequipment B.V. High Tech Campus Eindhoven NTS-Group ReRa Solutions B.V. Peter Hielkema Cees Admiraal Marc Hendrikse, CEO Erik Haverkamp

Vluchtoord 23 F. +31 413 255 289 High Tech Campus 1 E. [email protected] Dillenburgstraat 9 F. + 31 40 259 7286 Bijsterhuizen 1158c F. +31 84 867 17 71 5406 XP Uden E. [email protected] NL-5656 AE Eindhoven I. www.hightechcampus.com NL-5652 AM Eindhoven E. [email protected] NL-6546 AS Nijmegen E. [email protected] T. +31 413 255 243 I. www.hielkematest.nl T. +31 40 230 5515 T. + 31 40 259 7200 I. www.nts-group.nl T. +31 24 366 21 16 I. www.rerasolutions.com

Lamers High Tech Systems Meco Equipment Engineers BV Sierra Instruments B.V. Smit Ovens

R&D Consultancy Lamers High Tech Meco Equipment Sierra Instruments (Universities , Institutes etc.) Cost-eff ective thermal R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy Systems is a leading (Universities , Institutes etc.) Engineers BV is (Universities , Institutes etc.) manufacturers high processes for thin-fi lm (Universities , Institutes etc.) supplier to technology wholly owned by performance mass fl ow photovoltaic production. driven markets for over BE Semiconductor meters and mass fl ow Smit Ovens is a leader Materials & (Integrated) Semi finished Cel 25 years. Main activities in Industries (BESI) and controllers for nearly Panel in thermal processes for products Materials & Materials & Materials & (Integrated) (Integrated) (Integrated) the solar market are: Turn Semi finished Cel has more than 35 Semi nished Cel any gas, liquid, or steam high-volume thin-fi lm Semi finished Cel Panel Panel Panel products key installation consisting years’ experience products application. solar cell production. We products of: Gas & chemical with designing and With more than deliver innovative, high Equipment Equipment Equipment infrastructures (SS or manufacturing plating 150 offi ces in over & & & throughput solutions Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Supplies Supplies Supplies Equipment Equipment Equipment Plastics; Gascabinets and & & & equipment for various & & & 50 countries, Sierra based on smart designs & & & Bulk Chemical systems; Supplies Supplies Supplies industries such as Supplies Supplies Supplies Instruments is known for and processes. Supplies Supplies Supplies Hook up of production semiconductor, solar and the design and These cover: equipment incl. vacuum; Hot commissioning, qualifi cation & validation. connector. Meco supplies, installs and services its plating equipment manufacture of CIGS: Deposition of elemental selenium; selenization; crystallization; Subassemblies for OEM’s: R&D&E of custom & standard products and worldwide with a current installed base of 700 machines in 34 countries. innovative high-performance fl uid fl ow measurement and control RTP (Rapid thermal processing); activation; conditioning. assemblies; Purifi cation and assembly under clean room conditions For the solar industry Meco delivers plating machines for metallization of instrumentation for nearly any gas, liquid and steam application CdTe: Deposition; activation; conditioning. (>1200 m2); Bulk Chemical systems for POCL3/BBr3; Stand alone crystalline solar cells (plating on printed seed layers, direct plating onto spanning across global industries as diverse as scientifi c research, a-Si/μ-Si : Conditioning; Pre-heating. Evaporator Systems for DEZ, TMA, TTC; High Purity vacuum & process silicon, plating of IBC cells and plating of bifacial cells such as HIT cells ). semiconductor, wastewater treatment, iron and steel, clean energy, TCO: FTO - atmospheric pressure CVD; ZnO - atmospheric pressure CVD. piping; Contamination (RGA,TOC,etc), particle and moisture analysis. Furthermore we deliver equipment for CIS and CIGS cells to deposit aerospace and biotech to name a few. the absorber layers (copper, indium and gallium) onto fl ex or glass substrates.

Lamers High Tech Systems BV Meco Equipment Engineers BV Sierra Instruments B.V. Smit Ovens BV Age Leijenaar Martijn Zwegers Maurits Koppe (Managing Director) Wiro Zijlmans

De Vlotkampweg 36-38 E. [email protected] Marconilaan 2 F. +31 416 384 300 Bijlmansweid 2 F.+31 72 507 1401 Ekkersrijt 4302 E. [email protected] NL-6545 AG Nijmegen I. www.lamersHTS.com NL-5151 DR Drunen E. [email protected] NL-1934 RE, Egmond aan den Hoef E. [email protected] NL-5692 DH Son I. www.smitovens.nl T. +31 24 371 67 77 T. +31 416 384 384 I. www.besi.com T. +31 72 5071400 I. www.sierrainstruments.com T. +31 499 494 549

36 37 Solliance TKI Solar Energy TULiPPS Solar B.V. Holland Solar

Solliance is a partnership TKI Solar Energy intends The goal of TULiPPS® is to Holland Solar is the R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy (Universities , Institutes etc.) of R&D organizations to further accelerate (Universities , Institutes etc.) change ugly solar systems (Universities , Institutes etc.) association for the solar (Universities , Institutes etc.) working in photovoltaic the development and into function integrated energy industry in the solar energy (PV) in the use of solar energy in building products to achieve Netherlands. It aims at ELAT region (Eindhoven- the Netherlands, and an appealing cost eff ective stimulating the use of Materials & (Integrated) Materials & Materials & Semi finished Cel (Integrated) Materials & (Integrated) Leuven-Aachen). Panel to achieve the greatest Semi finished Cel energy generating building (Integrated) solar thermal and pho- Semi finished Cel Panel Cel Panel products products Panel Solliance is creating possible added value skin for complete roofi ng products tovoltaic energy in the products the required synergy for the Dutch economy. and cladding applications. Netherlands. In addition, by consolidating and Partners involved We have developed an Holland Solar repre- Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment coordinating the activities & & & in projects that fall & & & eye catching innovative sents the Dutch solar & & & & & & Supplies Supplies Supplies Supplies Supplies Supplies of industry, research under the TKI Solar lightweight PV module Supplies Supplies Supplies industry on regulatory Supplies Supplies Supplies institutes and universities. Energy focus on the technology platform with matters with local and Solliance partners are: ECN, imec, TNO, Holst Centre,TU/e and development of effi cient, sustainable, inexpensive solar panels as clear diff erentiating properties. Our patented ‘Plug-&-Play’ BIPV solution national governments. The association has over 65 members, including Forschungszentrum Jülich. Solliance is supported by the Dutch well as the equipment and materials used to make them. They are has been designed to fi t any building, achieve superb aesthetics and manufacturers, suppliers, installers, consultants, architects, and research province of North Brabant,.In order to make optimal use of these lab also working on innovations in solar energy systems and on the other value-added features, as well as low costs. We sell our versatile organizations. Holland Solar is a partner of the Dutch sustainable energy facilities, they are open to valorization programs in joint research integration of such systems into the built environment, infrastructure manufacturing technologies and required components to PV module association (DE Koepel) and the Cleantech Holland platform. Internation- with industry. Solliance aims to collaborate with all main companies and electricity grid. producers who want to meet the demands of the diff erentiated building ally, it is a member of the European industry associations ESTIF and EPIA. and institutes in the world. and construction markets. The COSMOS® technology can be used in combination with all silicon and thin fi lm cell technologies.

Solliance TKI Solar Energy TULiPPS Solar B.V. Holland Solar Hein Willems Wim Sinke & Wijnand van Hooff Paul Stassen Arthur de Vries

High Tech Campus 5 E. [email protected] Molenlaan 99 E. offi [email protected] High Tech Campus 9 F. +31 40 7516 290 Korte Elisabethstraat 6 E. infollandsolar.nl NL-5656 AE Eindhoven I. www.solliance.eu NL-3055 EJ Rotterdam I. www.tkisolarenergy.nl NL-5656 AE Eindhoven E. [email protected] NL-3511 JG Utrecht I. www.hollandsolar.nl T. +31 88 515 44 72 T. +31 88 515 4040 M. +31 646 230 452 I . www.tulipps.com T. +31 30 232 80 08

TMC TNO

TMC is the independent TNO is an independent R&D Consultancy R&D Consultancy partner, supporting (Universities , Institutes etc.) innovation organisation. (Universities , Institutes etc.) customers with our TNO connects people multidisciplinary technical and knowledge to expertise and managing create innovations that Materials & Materials & (Integrated) (Integrated) Semi finished Cel Semi finished Cel skills, to staff projects Panel sustainably boost the Panel products products on the development competitive strength of New Solar Business Development and industrialization of industry and the welfare The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) supports relevant parties in the solar photovoltaic (related) of society. TNO’s more Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment Equipment value chain to develop innovative projects and build a strong international products and equipment, & & & than 4000 professionals & & & and to provide consultancy Supplies Supplies Supplies work on practicable Supplies Supplies Supplies PV cluster. We are involved in early stage product development as well as related to the application knowledge and solutions implementation of solar technology projects. BOM is business development of solar, and more general renewable, energy. By off ering fast access for the problems of global scarcity. TNO focuses its eff orts on seven to high-level technical and (project-) management expertise, TMC themes: Healthy Living, Industrial Innovation, Energy/Geological partner for Solliance. enables customers to keep their critical projects on track and their Survey of the Netherlands, Mobility, Built Environment, Information innovation power competitive. Our professionals combine excellent Society, and Defence, Safety and Security (www.tno.nl/themes). TNO is Brabant Development Agency technical skills with strong entrepreneurial behaviour. Please visit our a partner of Solliance. Solliance is a R&D cluster bringing thin fi lm solar PVSEC poster “Prototype Sustainable Refrigerator Trailer” (6AV5.27) energy technology to excellence. BOM offers access to its network with the local Y during the session on Monday from 15.15 to 16.30. SME’s, supply chain, national industry and global R Contact business communities as well as with universities

BOM Business Development and research centers. BOM initiates and R

Michel Weeda accelerates innovative projects, spin outs and A TMC TNO US T E mweeda bom.nl multiparty deals and has its own investment L

Joep Thewissen Ando Kuypers D

T +31 (0)88 83 111 51 funds and financial network. O

Flight Forum 107 F. +31 40 239 22 70 Rondom 1 F. +31 88 866 8819 I www.bom.nl N I NL-5657 DC Eindhoven E. [email protected] NL-5612 AP Eindhoven E. [email protected] S T. +31 40 239 22 60 I. www.tmc.nl T. +31 88 866 5000 I. www.tno.nl

38 Solar adv. 186x131.indd 1 29-08-12 09:13 www.lamershts.com

Visit us at EU PVSEC 2014 Booth B17a

The Lamers IBC Handler: greater operator safety The patented Lamers IBC (Intermediate Bulk Setting Container) handler ensures the safe draining of IBC’s into storage tanks for the distribution of chemicals to the PV production process area, which is said to result in greater effi ciency and signifi cantly better operator the solar safety, negating the need for special protection. Handling typical process chemicals used in the PV industry such as hydrofl uoric acid (HF), nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCL) and standard sulphuric acid (H2SO4). in purity

The name of our game is ultra-high purity gas Turn-key installations: • Gas & chemical infrastructures and fl uid handling, conditioning and delivery • Gas & chemical distribution and control panels solutions. Clients worldwide profi t from our • Hook up of production (vacuum) equipment • Gascabinets and Bulk Chemical systems ability to provide minimal TCO while delivering the highest levels of quality and reliability. (Sub)assemblies for OEM’s: • R&D&E of custom & standard products Our production sites feature certifi ed orbital and assemblies stainless steel welding, plastic welding, and • Purifi cation and assembling under cleanroom conditions assembly in over 1000 m2 cleanrooms up to • Bulk Chemical systems for POCL3/BBr3 class 10 for high purity manufacturing. R&D, • Supply subassemblies for liquid precursors • Vacuum piping set ups design engineering, global installation and • Contamination (RGA, TOC, etc.), particle and commissioning complete our extensive high moisture analysis & Helium leak checking • Measurement and control equipment for level services and leading solutions to the industrial applications solar industry.

Lamers High Tech Systems B.V. P.O. box 46, 6500 AA Nijmegen The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)24 - 3716777 Fax: +31 (0)24 - 3777695 E-mail:[email protected]

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