Spire Offers Thin Film Photovoltaic Module Production Line
Manufacturing Line is Designed for Both Inorganic and Organic Thin Film Solar Modules
Dec 13, 2006
Source: Business wire
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061213005173&newsLang=en
BEDFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE) –Solar energy experts from around the world gathered in Hamburg, Germany on November 29 and 30 to attend a conference titled “The Future of Plastic and Thin Film Photovoltaics”. Among the featured presenters was Roger Little, Chairman & CEO of Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR) who introduced Spire’s new starter production line for the development of thin film photovoltaic modules. Mr. Little’s presentation was given to industry leaders who are creating a roadmap for the commercialization of new photovoltaic materials.
The development of thin film photovoltaic materials, both inorganic and organic, has accelerated in recent years, partly fueled by a worldwide shortage of polysilicon, a crucial ingredient for traditional, crystalline silicon solar cells. Spire is introducing its new thin film module production line to address needs of this new, expanding market. As a global leader in photovoltaic equipment development and sales, Spire has over 30 years of experience providing the production tools for building solar modules, and has been developing machines to address the specific needs of the new generation of thin film materials.
Spire’s thin film production line utilizes customer-supplied thin film plates. Spire equipment is used to laminate, frame, test, and add electrical junction box connections to the thin film modules. The production line can be fitted with automation options to meet customer requirements. One component of this new thin film production line is Spire’s Single-Long Pulse Simulator, which is used to test photovoltaic modules. Earlier this year, Spire introduced an enhanced feature option for Spire’s line of solar simulators that incorporates a very stable, single long-pulse (SLP) of light during which the entire I-V measurement is performed. This feature is key to testing thin film modules accurately.
Mr. Little said, “The solar market is exploding, and the growth of the thin film sector offers new avenues for future industry expansion. Spire has provided the production equipment upon which the silicon-based solar industry has been built; now we offer tools for the next generation of photovoltaics.”
ABOUT SPIRE CORPORATION
Spire Corporation is a worldwide leader in developing and providing innovative solar energy manufacturing equipment. Spire is the world’s only equipment and technology supplier that manufactures all the equipment in-house for an entire module production line. Spire offers full, turnkey solutions for wafer, cell and module manufacturing equipment and supplies custom photovoltaic systems. For more information visit www.spirecorp.com.