An increasing number of thin-film companies are ready to produce at commercial levels. But in order to have a chance to compete with low-cost crystalline-silicon module manufacturers, they not only need to produce at the highest possible efficiencies, yields and up-time, they also need to expand quickly to the next level.
A 60 MW thin-film line simply doesn't reach the economies of scale like a 500 MW production site. And in this regard it needs to be answered what kind of equipment is needed?: Turnkey lines? Or should manufacturers build on their own research experience and buy lower-cost equipment? Finally, the question is whether it still makes sense for companies planning to enter solar module production to opt for thin films at all?

At PHOTON's 5^th PV Production Equipment Conference (Part 2 – Thin Film), experts will discuss the economics of thin-film production and companies will present the latest in processing materials and equipment needed to produce thin-film modules – from amorphous and micromorph silicon to copper-indium-diselenide (CIS) and cadmium-telluride (CdTe) panels.

The conference will provide an overview on:

• TCOs and substrates: Overview on different module
  substrates and metal contacts
• Absorbers: The latest machines for depositing the absorber layers on thin-film modules (silicon, CdTe and CIS)
• Automation and factory planning: Facility and line designs
  for high-quality production
• Case studies of promising new thin-film manufacturers: Companies will present their approach to low-cost thin-film module manufacturing
• Executive panel discussion

PHOTON's 5^th PV Production Equipment Conference (Part 2 – Thin Film) addresses executives and technology experts from thin-film module manufacturing companies, and research institutes, as well as other industries looking into setting up thin-film module production.