Applied Materials Inc. on December 4 announced it was named Green Energy Innovator of the Year for its pioneering work on the Applied SunFab Thin Film Line, at a gala presenting the prestigious ninth annual Platts Global Energy Awards.
“Applied Materials is focused on lowering the cost of solar photovoltaic generated energy through the application of nanomanufacturing technologies,” said Mark Pinto, senior vice president, chief technology officer and general manager of Energy and Environmental Solutions. “The nominees in the category of Green Energy Innovator were international in breadth and included leading global green energy innovators. Among such competition, I am pleased to receive this acknowledgement and proud of the great work our teams around the world are doing to help make solar energy an affordable solution to the world’s power needs.”
The award highlighted the revolutionary SunFab, the world’s first and only integrated production line for manufacturing thin film silicon solar modules using 5.7-square-meter glass panels. These ultra-large substrates, sized at 2.2 meters by 2.6 meters, are four times bigger than today’s typical thin film solar modules. Key to the SunFab’s success is that it can be replicated by customers around the globe to rapidly establish solar panel manufacturing capacity and achieve lower production cost per watt to drive down the cost of solar electricity.
“Our judges’ panel was impressed by Applied Materials’ demonstration of an innovative solution to an important global challenge, and with this award we are pleased to recognize their commitment to environmental responsibility and the advancement of solar power around the world,” said Platts president Victoria Chu Pao.
The Platts awards showcase extraordinary accomplishments by energy businesses and individuals worldwide. Finalists and winners are determined by an independent international panel of judges. Platts, a leading global energy information service, is a division of the McGraw Hill companies.
Applied Materials is the global leader in nanomanufacturing technology, with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy-efficient glass.
