DEK Solar to launch latest Apollo innovation and showcase leading solutions at SNEC 2012

From 16 to 18 May 2012, DEK Solar will provide an interactive experience for visitors at its booth in Hall E3 stand 320, including live demonstrations of some of the leading innovative screen printing equipment and processes for the global solar cell industry.

One of DEK Solar’s key highlight at the show will be the launch of its much anticipated Apollo platform. Making its global debut, DEK Solar’s Apollo is a next-generation integrated cell manufacturing metallization platform designed to meet the future industry needs for the PV solar cell industry. The Apollo’s advanced automated features optimise accuracy for Print-on-Print processes and offer customers repeatability as well as high performance in an industry-leading small footprint, single line configuration.

Also on display will be the award-winning highly flexible modular platform, Eclipse. DEK Solar’s Eclipse platform is a high throughput metallization technology featuring parallel print head procession options to maximise productive uptime. Its innovative modular design allows manufacturers to easily scale their production to from 1200 to 3600wph to accommodate dynamic production requirements. Far ahead of current solar cell metallization requirements, the Eclipse platform’s accuracy is imperative for demanding technologies like print-on-print. With next-generation zero-edge-contact handling, advanced vision capabilities and exceptional positional accuracy, Eclipse enables high yield silicon cell processing for even the most demanding solar production environments.

Another highlight will include DEK Solar’s latest performance upgrade for PV 1200 customers, increasing production from 1200 to 1450wph. The PV 1200+ builds on DEK’s proven platform expertise. It operates at optimal throughput and delivers maximum yield while reducing the total cost of ownership with its compact design.

DEK is committed to pioneering innovation and developing advanced process capabilities. Customers can look forward to DEK Solar’s preview of its upcoming Hot Melt enabled Eclipse printer. Developed with Ferro Corporation, the Hot Melt Eclipse allows customers to independently control screen, squeegee, flood blade and wafer temperatures whilst boasting all of the features of the Eclipse platform.

In addition to these platforms, DEK Solar will showcase stencils and screens from its Process Support Products division. Known worldwide for its expertise in screen manufacture, DEK Solar has consistently delivered precision emulsion screens for multiple applications and photovoltaic technologies. Leveraging its precision and accuracy of both the PVP1200 and Eclipse platforms, DEK Solar has developed breakthrough technologies such as Print-on-Print that have been breaking cell efficiency records.

In a recent independent testing, the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin achieved a record value of 20.1 percent for the conversion efficiency of screen-printed silicon solar cells. This was carried out on DEK’s Dual Print and Print-on-Print processes, using the highly accurate Eclipse screen printing platform and precision screens. In addition, the ISFH confirmed that significant silver savings can be made using the two processes, with no loss of efficiency.

Leading the drive towards increased cell efficiency through enhanced metallization processes and technologies, DEK Solar is continually reducing the Cost per Watt; enabling the printing of thinner wafers, breakage rates and hardware footprint while increasing printer utilization, accuracy throughput and yield, all delivering on DEK’s ‘Expect More’ philosophy.