06 July 2012 Thin-film photovoltaics have to compete not only
with other solar cell technologies but also with fossil and
other renewable energy sources. This, according to the European
Society of Thin Films (EFDS) and Singulus Technologies, requires
the development of new production technologies that increase
efficiency and productivity. A workshop hosted by the two
organizations discussed promising technology approaches in
research labs that now need to be transferred into industrial
production. This transfer “from lab to fab” can only be achieved
by a cooperation of cell manufacturers, equipment suppliers and
institutes, whereas equipment suppliers play a major role to
enable these revolutionary developments, say EFDS and Singulus.
At the 21 June workshop, “Challenges in the upscaling of thin-
film solar cell production” at Singulus’ headquarters in Kahl am
Main, Germany, members of leading research institutes, equipment
manufacturers and suppliers gave presentations on current and
future challenges in the