Corporate | 12 November 2010 08:59
Roth & Rau AG / Key word(s): Alliance
12.11.2010 08:59
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Day4 Energy, Roth & Rau and Alinement Announce Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to Develop and Manufacture the Next Generation of PV Modules
-Roth & Rau & Day4 Energy to combine technologies to deliver the next
generation solar PV cell, module and production system
-Alinement B.V., a prospective Day4 solarSYSTEMS partner in the
Netherlands, is scheduled to commence operation in Q1 2012 with 80MW of
production capacity for this new technology
-Additional capacity to 500MW is planned for the Netherlands and up to
2.5GW globally
Hohenstein-Ernstthal and Burnaby, BC, November 12, 2010 - Roth & Rau AG
(RRAUF.PK), a leading global provider of solar cell production equipment
and technology and Day4 Energy Inc. (TSX: DFE), a leading global provider
of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions, today announced a
tri-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with , Alinement B.V.('ABV'), a
prospective Day4 solarSYSTEMS partner, to construct the first of its kind
integrated manufacturing line for the production of PV cells and modules
based on an industry leading technology combination developed by Roth & Rau
and Day4 Energy.
With the objective of creating the next generation of crystalline silicon
solar modules through increased cell efficiency and temperature
performance, this collaboration will see Roth & Rau's PV cell and
hetero-junction technology-based turnkey manufacturing line combined with
Day4's advanced PV cell, module and production technologies. The recent
acquisition of ACI eco-Tec by Day4 Energy makes this collaboration
possible, and will ensure the delivery to ABV of an advanced PV technology
superior in terms of both cost and performance.
ABV, a group of solar experts with a proven track record of bringing new
products and production methods to market, has studied many options and
selected Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy as their technology and equipment
providers. The objective is to reduce costs and achieve the highest
possible efficiency by minimizing production steps through the integration
of wafer, cell and module production. The company has plans for 500MWp of
manufacturing capacity in a single location in the Netherlands.
Roth & Rau has been developing hetero-junction technology for more than two
years at their Switzerland Technology Centre in close collaboration with
EPFL in Neuchatel. Hetero-junction technology solar cells offer an
efficiency potential of more than 20% while delivering favorable
manufacturing costs. At the recent EU PVSEC European Solar Conference held
in Valencia, Roth & Rau presented results of 21% cell efficiency achieved
at its Swiss Technology Centre. Having demonstrated the significant
potential of hetero-junction technology, Roth & Rau is moving rapidly
towards mass production.
Roth & Rau is excited about the potential of bringing together
hetero-junction and Day 4 Energy's innovative contacting technology. This
combination will further enhance the module efficiency of hetero-junction
based solar cells, and lead to significant cost reductions in the cell
process. Roth & Rau is currently the only equipment manufacturer to offer
production systems for this highly promising cell technology.
'Aligning two of the best PV technologies available is important from a
technical standpoint. However, equally important is that we are
demonstrating a unique business approach, allowing our organizations to
work together and create an industry breakthrough' says Dietmar Roth, CEO
of Roth & Rau. 'We are able to create advanced and highly efficient solar
products, streamline production capabilities and provide manufacturers a
pipeline of future technologies ensuring they continue to produce some of
the most advanced solar products available on the market.'
The merger of these technologies is the latest demonstration of the Day4
Electrode performing its role as a next platform for future PV
technologies. The proprietary and patented Day4 Electrode and Guardian
Technology used in Day4 solarMODULES incorporate technological advantages
over conventional crystalline pv module technology.
'Our collaboration with Roth & Rau to develop superior PV technology and
modules marks a pivotal milestone for Day4 Energy.' says George Rubin,
President of Day4 Energy. 'To be recognized and chosen as the platform to
deliver the next generation of PV products is a significant achievement,
recognizing the growing strength of the Day4 brand.'
'The Day4 cell interconnection technology secures PV cell high efficiency
at the module level and minimizes cell-to-module energy losses.' explains
Professor Leonid B. Rubin, Day4 Energy's Vice President & Chief Technology
Officer. 'In addition, Day4's low temperature module production technology
provides a unique opportunity to manufacture PV modules with temperature
sensitive PV cells.'
'The combination of these two technologies, along with the necessary
manufacturing equipment, all in an optimized package has the potential to
produce one of the most efficient, lowest cost solar modules available in
our industry. With Roth & Rau and Day4 Energy, we have a strong partnership
in solar technology to bring costs down substantially through the
application of state-of-the art technology' concluded Jac Hanssen, CEO of
Alinement.
About Day4 Energy
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Day4 Energy is a leading global
provider of solar photovoltaic products and solutions. Active in the areas
of research & design, manufacturing, technology licensing and all aspects
of project management, Day4 Energy is enabling the growth of solar energy
throughout the world. Day4 Energy recently completed the acquisition of
solar equipment maker ACI eco-Tec. Day4 is listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol 'DFE'. For more information, please visit
www.day4energy.com.
About Day4 solarSYSTEMS
An industry first, Day4 solarSYSTEMS is a program that enables businesses
to manufacture, distribute and sell certified DAY4 branded solarMODULES in
their local region. It's a revolutionary approach - a turnkey manufacturing
package that allows participants to swiftly establish a production facility
and generate revenue growth. Launched in early 2010, Day4 solarSYSTEMS is a
turnkey manufacturing program to expand the supply and market penetration
of Day4 branded solar modules and increase the worldwide adoption of solar.
To learn more, please visit www.day4solarsystems.com
About Roth & Rau AG
Founded in 1990 and based in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany, Roth & Rau AG
is one of the world's leading suppliers of production equipment and
innovative production technologies for the photovoltaics industry. For over
10 years, Roth & Rau's focus has been providing antireflective coating
systems and turnkey production lines for use in the manufacture of
crystalline silicon solar cells. Further products include thermal
processing systems also used in the manufacture of crystalline silicon
solar cells, as well as coating systems and turnkey production lines for
the manufacture of thin film solar modules. www.roth-rau.de
About Alinement B.V.('ABV')
ABV is a group of solar experts out of the Netherlands, leading an
investment project for the design and construction of a large scale,
state-of-the art integrated photovoltaic ('PV') plant to service the
European market. The 80MW manufacturing facility is expected to be
operational by the first quarter of 2012, with plans to gradually increase
its production capacity through several expansion phases. In long-term
cooperation with Day4 and Roth & Rau, ABV plans to reach an annual
production capacity of 500MW in the Netherlands, and up to 2.5GW globally.
Investor Relations Contact
Roth & Rau:
Prof. Dr. Silvia Roth
Vice President Sales & Marketing
An der Baumschule 6-8
09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Germany
Fon: +49 (0) 37 23 / 66 85-0
Fax: +49 (0) 37 23 / 66 85-100
investor@roth-rau.de
Day4 Energy:
Therese Hayes
Head, Corporate Development
Day4 Energy Inc.
(604) 345-6771
thayes@day4energy.com
Media and Public Relations Contact
Justin K Lacey
Director, Marketing
Day4 Energy Inc.
(604) 296-0449
jlacey@day4energy.com
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Language: English
Company: Roth & Rau AG
An der Baumschule 6-8
09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Deutschland
Phone: 03723 6685-0
Fax: 03723 6685-100
E-mail: info@roth-rau.de
Internet: www.roth-rau.de
ISIN: DE000A0JCZ51
WKN: A0JCZ5
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in München, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Stuttgart
End of Announcement DGAP News-Service
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