Solar Frontier announced today that it is installing newly enhanced proprietary CIS production lines at its upcoming production facility, Tohoku Plant. Based on established technology at Solar Frontier’s Kunitomi Plant, the improved production lines will enable best-in-class production costs with new product advantages.
On track with its planned construction schedule, the plant is to be completed in March 2015. The Tohoku Plant features upgrades from Solar Frontier’s existing proven production lines using advanced technology developed in R&D at its Atsugi Research Center (ARC).
Satoru Kuriyagawa, Chief Technology Officer of Solar Frontier, commented: "The Tohoku Plant manufacturing process leverages cutting-edge technology developed at our ARC, partnered with proven line technology from our Kunitomi Plant to deliver significant enhancements. For example, precise processes such as the formation of the CIGS absorption layer (the heart of CIS thin-film modules), the patterning process, and electrode formation are now faster and can be controlled more accurately. With significant advances in all areas, this factory delivers faster, more compact and more efficient production, in turn enabling significant cost reductions."