Amtech received follow-on order of n-type Bi-facial solar cell & module

Amtech Systems announced that its subsidiary, Tempress Systems received a follow-on order of similar size including Tempress’ high-throughput PECVD and diffusion platforms, for the second phase of a multi‑phase 1GW China project, in addition to the order for the first phase announced in January 2017.

The first and second phases of this China project are designed to manufacture high efficiency n-type bi-facial solar cells and modules at an attractive cost per watt. This repeat order is expected to ship within the next twelve months.

Amtech CEO and President, Fokko Pentinga said that Over the years, they have made advances in n-type technologies in collaboration with leading research institutes, including the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN). With recent declines in the cost of n-type wafers and the market demand for higher efficiency and lower cost per watt, they are seeing increased adoption of n-type bi-facial technologies for production of c-Si cells. Recently, at one of the largest solar tradeshows, SNEC in Shanghai, there was much excitement and a trend towards adoption of bi-facial cells, which requires two PECVD steps. They believe that Amtech has the right mix of n-type cell technologies and high-throughput tools to capitalize on the growing market demand for higher efficiency cells, and that n-type bi-facial cell technologies have the best roadmap to higher efficiency.