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Synova Cutting of Solar Cells

European manufacturers have to search for business opportunities rather in the area of premium technology than in high-volume business. These include new cell concepts, material improvements or new processing methods. 

By Jörn Iken

Technological niche versus high-volume business. European manufacturers have to search for business opportunities rather in the area of premium technology than in high-volume business. These include new cell concepts, material improvements or new processing methods - a feat of concentrated effort based on new technology. 

The photovoltaics sector is presently experiencing the first hard test of its marketability. Important markets in Europe have heavily reduced their subsidies, overproduction has increased the pressure on prices, projects are being cancelled due to financing problems and the gloves have been taken off in the battle for market shares. Up to now, the PV industry has countered the increasingly demanding commercial conditions with a strategy based on two fronts. Both optimisation of the production processes and the development of new cell concepts were the proven methods of reducing the costs per watt. Most large companies have followed both paths in parallel in order to secure their competitiveness. Many of these expensive efforts have moved into the area of process technology. Many companies are now concentrating on their own equipment and are sending their research engineers into the production halls. This makes it all the more interesting to look over the shoulders of the scientific institutes and equipping companies. Work on improving the production processes and development of new cell concepts is continuing here.

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