SVTC Technologies has announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with world-recognized solar equipment manufacturer Roth and Rau AG of Germany.
Under the agreement, Roth and Rau will collaborate with SVTC's Solar business unit and provide a complete silicon wafer solar cell development and manufacturing line for SVTC Solar's new Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center (see related press release on the launch of the new center).
In addition to establishing a complete turnkey solar manufacturing line in San Jose, the agreement calls for ongoing collaboration between SVTC Solar and Roth and Rau for product and equipment development and marketing.
Existing solar cell manufacturers and solar start-ups will be able to access the Roth and Rau equipment for their product development efforts, and Roth and Rau will benefit from having these potential customers working on their tools. Additionally, Roth and Rau will use the Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center as its North American demonstration showroom.
"The Roth and Rau equipment line will allow SVTC Solar to provide much-needed development and pilot production services to the growing solar industry," said Kurt Laetz, SVTC Solar program manager.
"Roth and Rau is a world leader in solar cell manufacturing equipment, and this complete solar cell manufacturing line will establish our new Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center as the premier location in the U.S. for solar companies to conduct their development programs."
"SVTC Solar is providing a vital piece of the solar energy puzzle in the U.S., and we immediately recognized the importance of being a partner in their venture from the beginning," said Dietmar Roth, CEO of Roth and Rau AG.
"We are pleased to bring our solar cell manufacturing equipment and extensive industry expertise to this exciting new photovoltaic development center and using it as our North American demonstration showroom."
SVTC Technologies has leased an 87,000 sq. ft. facility in South San Jose as the location for the Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center.
The purpose of this center is to provide the fast-growing solar industry with the infrastructure – including development equipment, support and engineering services – required to create and commercialize innovative solar energy products. Roth and Rau's 5 megawatt (MW) capacity solar cell manufacturing line is ideally sized for pilot production.
The Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center will serve multiple photovoltaic (PV) technologies, including traditional silicon wafers and thin films. By partnering with major service providers, SVTC Solar is positioning the Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center to support a sustainable solar industry in Silicon Valley.
"This is a natural extension into photovoltaics of our core business in the semiconductor industry," said Dave Bergeron, CEO of SVTC Technologies. "We provide exceptional development services that allow our customers to bring their products to market in shorter times with less development spending. Partnering with high-quality equipment providers such as Roth and Rau is how we maintain our edge."
