GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), a global provider of specialized production equipment, process technology and turnkey manufacturing services for the solar power industry, today announced that it has received final acceptance for the design, installation and commissioning of one of the most technologically-advanced turnkey wafer fabrication lines in Spain.
Created for Leon-based DC Wafers, the state-of-the-art wafer production line (GT-WAFFABTM) includes GT Solar’s GT-DSS450TM ingot growth technology, coupled with advanced wafering systems, and automated in-line inspection tools. GT Solar’s turnkey services process experts worked closely with DC Wafer’s engineers to optimize the wafer line to increase productivity, boost quality and line yields, and lower production costs. The line was designed to produce 30-megawatts (MW) of multi-crystalline solar wafers annually; it will likely exceed that target by up to an additional 5 MW, as the line is already operating at a better than expected polysilicon consumption rate.
“GT Solar’s proven technology and manufacturing know-how, in combination with the expertise of our manufacturing team, have enabled DC Wafers to build an extremely efficient, cost-effective facility that is allowing us to produce high-quality silicon wafers to meet our customers’ very specific needs,” said Ismael Guerrero Arias, DC Wafers’ director and chief technology officer. “Our company is conscious of the positive implications that generating clean energy has for the environment and our local community in terms of job growth, and we are committed to the development of the photovoltaic industry. To those ends, we will continue to focus our R&D strategies on reducing costs, saving energy and achieving maximum quality and efficiency.”
“The successful commissioning of DC Wafer’s new wafer line was accomplished through great teamwork between our teams,” said Ron Jones, vice president and general manager of GT Solar’s turnkey business. “We believe that DC Wafers is well situated in today’s market and we look forward to further strengthening our partnership with them to help optimize their competitive position as they expand their business.”
GT Solar provides turnkey solutions for every process of the PV manufacturing value chain including wafer, cell, and module lines. The company has successfully installed a variety of turnkey line configurations in countries around the globe including China, Greece, India, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.