XsunX Thin Film Manufacturing Advantage
We are establishing a complete process that delivers proprietary new high rate, high efficiency, low cost front end thin film solar cell manufacturing systems coupled with customized backend solar module assembly and packaging systems to deliver low cost products based on CIGS solar thin films. Our system will initially produce individual 125mm format (about 5” squares) wafers or cells, eventually scaling to 156mm and 215mm formats (about 6” and 8” squares), at per hour production rates we believe can provide exceptional commercial opportunities. These wafers, on flexible stainless steel, are similar in size to silicon wafers used in nearly all solar modules manufactured today. System features and advantages include:
- Performance: System architecture is derived from proven hard disc drive deposition systems that account for the production of over 600 million disks per year – equivalent to nearly 3GWp per year if this output were solar cells
- Rapid Time to Market: Four of the five systems necessary to manufacture the CIGS solar cell require only minimal process adaptation while the fifth system is leveraging the proven commercial stability of an existing high rate production tool that is being modified to complete our process
- Factory Efficient and Flexible: Small system footprint allows for increased MW production per factory square foot. Modular 13MW cell production systems require as little as 2,500 sq. ft. and can be added in stages. A 100MW line could be installed in the same space required for a 25MW thin film amorphous silicon production line
- Multi-Industry Solution: An elegant solution produces either just solar cells or complete solar modules offering opportunities for manufacturers:
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- Seeking to provide a low cost per watt drop in replacement for Poly-Si or c-Si silicon wafers to a large group of solar module assemblers
- Of BIPV products that require the use of small flexible solar cells that can be adapted for use in a multitude of different shaped and sized solar BIPV products
- Existing Semi-Conductor and Hard Disc Drive companies seeking ways to put idle floor space or systems to work in the green economy
- Thin film solar module manufacturers looking to break the barriers to the production of large area, low cost, high efficiency thin film solar modules capable of delivering better value than silicon module solutions
- Low Per Watt Costs: XsunX has estimated that based on only 12% efficiency, far from the full potential of CIGS, the per watt factory production cost for solar modules could approach $.80 cents per watt.
Click here to learn about the benefits of XsunX’s JV manufacturing opportunities