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The Neuchatel Institute of Microengineering (IMT) of EPFL and BrightView Systems Announce Collaboration for Solar Cell Production Process Optimization Solutions

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 03:00 CDT

NEUCHATEL, Switzerland and PETACH-TIKVA, Israel, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thin-Film Photovoltaics Laboratory at IMT, a world leading lab in silicon-based thin-film solar cells research, part of the renowned Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), and BrightView Systems, an innovative developer of production process optimization tools for the solar industry are joining forces to introduce novel solutions for the optimization of next generation thin-film solar cells production.

BrightView's advanced solutions will be utilized to provide real-time feedback to encompass a complete framework for process optimization that is scalable from pilot line to mass production of large area panels.

"We are convinced that the strategy of BrightView, their ideas, dynamism, specific know-how and unique approach to key issues in manufacturing, will allow us to achieve our goals", said Prof. Christophe Ballif, head of the PV Laboratory.

By targeting key manufacturing challenges related to optimization and effective control of optical and electrical cell properties, the partners aim at improving the efficiency and reliability of solar cells, while enabling high productivity at volume production. IMT brings to the collaboration its vast experience in characterization and modeling of multi-junction thin-film silicon cells as well as state-of the art fabrication and lab to industry process transfer.

"Working closely with IMT enables us to fine-tune our solutions for process optimization to the most advanced cell structures ahead of their incorporation in the production lines", said Benny Shoham, CEO of BrightView. "The excellent team at IMT is one of the true forces that brings device novelty to this industry and drives it to continuously improve efficiency, while our solutions are designed to address key challenges in mass producing these advanced structures. Together we will enable a faster adoption of new more efficient cell technologies at lower manufacturing cost" added Shoham.

About BrightView Systems Ltd

Founded by an experienced and innovative team, BrightView focuses on the production technology of photovoltaic solar-cells. Leveraging on the company's breakthrough technology, BrightView's solutions are designed to enable solar-cell manufacturers to maximize production efficiency. Implementing BrightView's solutions will lower the $/w production costs and will therefore accelerate the solar industry's roadmap towards grid parity. BrightView - Perfecting solar energy production.

About IMT PV-Lab

The IMT PV-Lab was founded by Prof. Arvind Shah in 1985 and has pioneered several breakthrough technologies for thin film silicon, including VHF plasma processes and the micromorph tandem cell concept. The lab is at the origin of many patents and has obtained record performances related to thin film Si solar cells. The laboratory employs over 45 persons and its current research focuses on thin silicon films prepared by plasma processes, transparent conductive oxides, high efficiency crystalline solar cells and module lamination technology. PV-Lab infrastructure comprises of all necessary characterization and testing tools, as well as an impressive process technology array of more than 15 deposition reactors, etching systems, laser scribing tools and laminators that allow for the fabrication of complete devices, from layers and cells to finished modules. The IMT has been initially developed within the University of Neuchatel and was integrated in EPFL on January 1st, 2009.

SOURCE BrightView Systems LTD.

Source: PR Newswire

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