Jun 11 2008
Spire Corporation, a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic cells and modules worldwide, today announced it will exhibit at the Intersolar 2008 tradeshow at the New Munich Tradefair Center in Munich, Germany from June 12 through June 14, 2008 in Hall B5 Booth 519. Spire Corporation's Chief Operating Officer, Rodger LaFavre, along with other members of Spire's senior sales team, will attend the conference. There, Spire will introduce a fully integrated, 25-megawatt (MW) cell-module turnkey photovoltaic production line.
Responding to the demands of its customers, Spire has designed this 25MW per-year turnkey line integrating both cell and module manufacturing, converting silicon wafers directly into high efficiency, low-cost modules. Although Spire will continue to offer standalone cell and module manufacturing lines, this integrated factory design takes advantage of continuous material flow for automated, efficient production of modules from wafers.
“With the coming availability of low cost wafers, and the move toward higher scale and vertical integration, this is the quickest route to becoming a serious player in the photovoltaic manufacturing business,” says Roger Little, Spire’s Chairman and CEO. “We can make both lines more efficient by combining them. By adding commonality throughout the line, our customers will have the best possible handling of the wafers and cells that represent the majority of their operating costs.”
In addition to improved handling and yield, combining cell and module manufacturing offers manufacturers many advantages. Spire’s unique Fab Vision software extends its reach from wafer to module and provides the key information and lot tracking required to maximize yield and throughput. Spire’s turnkey package provides the key embedded process training, access to critical materials, finished designs of both cells and modules, and direct assistance with the certification to sell the end product in the most lucrative markets.
“Customers can count on our more than 25 years of putting companies in the photovoltaic business,” said Mr. Little. “Our job is to put companies in the business and keep them in the business. We grow when our customers grow.”