Roll-to-roll production of amorphous silicon based triple junction solar cells

We have recently commissioned a new production facility for the manufacture of thin film amorphous silicon based solar panels with an annual capacity of 30 MW. The amorphous silicon alloy processor uses the roll-to-roll concept pioneered by Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. The machine is approximately 90 m long and 3 m tall, and is capable of depositing triple-junction cells onto six 2.6 km long, 36 cm wide and 125 /spl mu/m thick rolls of stainless steel simultaneously. Nine miles (14 km) of solar cells can be deposited in 72 hours. The plant has been shipping products since January 2003 and is in the process of rapid ramp up. The stable efficiency of the products is 8%.