During PVSEC,the largest event in the solar industry, Manz Automation AG acquired orders and declarations of intent with a volume of more than EUR 20 million. These will be recognized in revenues and earnings in the coming fiscal year.
A particular highlight for Manz Automation AG was the presentation of a new line for the contact-free application of metallic front contacts to crystalline solar cells. This method is possible thanks to the M³D aerosol spray process provided by Optomec, a strategic alliance partner. This process allows thinner solar cells to be produced which are, at the same time, significantly more effective and lead to substantially lower production costs. Manz is the only provider on the market for lines for contact-free metallization for mass production, generating strong interest from solar cell manufacturers and also first orders.
In addition, Manz presented its innovative cell tester with integrated electroluminescence measurements which it developed in a strategic alliance with Basler. Manz also acquired an initial order for this line at the conference. Moreover, Manz offered a live demonstration of a complete back-end line for the production of crystalline solar cells, demonstrating its high-performance product range. In this regard, the company was able to secure several concrete declarations of intent from potential customers, and will thus be able to significantly reinforce its position on the market for crystalline technology in future.
In the thin-film technology segment, Manz Automation premiered a new line for wet-chemical glass cleaning, proving the successful transfer of tried-and-trusted cleaning technology expertise from the LCD to the photovoltaic sector. The machine met with very positive feedback from the professional audience, and will be produced by the subsidiary Intech Machines Co. Ltd. in Taiwan. The Reutlingen-based high-tech engineering company underscored its leading position on the laser process technology market by presenting a laser scribing system. Manz also leads the global market for this technology necessary for the production of thin-film solar modules, and the company is very pleased to have acquired additional new customers.