• Delivery of roll-to-roll coating technology to Solarion
• Central component of a 20 megawatt production system

FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of centrotherm photovoltaics AG, has won a major order to supply several roll-to-roll coating systems to Leipzig-based Solarion AG. FHR Anlagenbau is a leading manufacturer of foil coating systems in the photovoltaics area. The systems will be shipped next year, and form a central component of a CIGS thin film solar cell production system with an annual capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). The order is worth a double-digit amount in millions of euros for FHR Anlagenbau, and will be entered in the order book as soon as corresponding prepayments have been made, in line with centrotherm photovoltaics’ company policy. Solarion AG is planning to expand production to 180 MW at the Leipzig site together with strategic investor Walsin Lihwa Corporation from Taiwan.
"CIGS technology provides the highest efficiency potential in the photovoltaic thin-film area”, explains Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. The roll-to-roll process, where a plastic foil runs over a tape drive with several rolls, and is coated photovoltaically, also offers further advantages: "These flexible, light and unbreakable cells are also particularly suited to large industrial roofs, and applications such as the textile, automotive and aerospace industries." He goes on to comment that thin film solar cells generated using this roll-to-roll procedure are unrivalled with regard to curved surfaces.
FHR Anlagenbau GmbH and Solarion AG have already been jointly developing technologies and systems to produce extremely light and flexible CIGS thin film solar cells on plastic substrates since 2002. "The tremendous success of our many years of cooperation is reflected in the fact that, with the fourth generation of these foil coating systems, we are now taking the step into the mass production of flexible CIGS solar cells," was how Dr. Reinhard Fendler, Managing Director of FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, expresses his pleasure at the development.
FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, which is based at Ottendorf-Okrilla, specializes in the development of innovative thin film technologies and systems, as well as services in the thin film area. The company, which was founded in 1991 in Dresden, has formed part of the centrotherm photovoltaics Group since 2008. The FHR product portfolio comprises vacuum process systems for R&D applications, and technology and equipment for the production of CIGS solar cells and solar thermal power plants. The product range focuses strategically on foil coating systems for the production of flexible solar cells, organic solar cells, and energy-efficient OLED displays. Together with well-known industrial partners and research institutions, FHR has attained a globally leading technology and market position with these roll-to-roll systems.

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