Thursday, April 16th, 2009
Abound Solar (formerly AVA Solar), a manufacturer of CdTe thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, announced the opening of its first full-scale production facility in Longmont, Colo. This facility uses a proprietary manufacturing process that is claimed to significantly reduce production costs of solar panels. The fully automated facility will create more than 300 new jobs and has ultimate planned capacity to produce 200 MW of solar modules annually.
Abound Solar’s manufacturing process uses continuous in-line semiconductor equipment (see figure) to convert sheets of glass into solar panels in less than two hours. Abound Solar’s manufacturing process simplifies the production of thin-film solar panels, rapidly expands production capability and drives down the cost of solar-generated electricity. The company was founded in 2007 to commercialize 15 years of development at Colorado State University with support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
“Today’s facility opening represents a milestone for Abound. We have moved into commercial production, which allows us to keep pace with demand from our customers as the market expands,” said Pascal Noronha, CEO of Abound Solar. “We are now well positioned to deliver high-performing, cost-effective, solar modules that can accelerate clean energy usage around the world.”
Unlike other CdTe fabs, Abound Solar’s process is fully automated, continuous, and uses dry deposition (though full details have not been disclosed). This results in claimed higher throughput, lower costs, and tighter process windows. The facility is fully integrated, converting glass and semiconductor materials into complete modules beneath its roof. At capacity, a glass panel will enter the factory every 10 seconds and emerge as a completed module two hours later. –E.K.