Green Energy Technology of Taiwan Awards Contract to Applied Materials for Thin Film Solar Production Line

TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Energy Technology Inc., Ltd. (GET), Taiwan’s largest producer of solar wafers, today announced its plan to become the first company in Taiwan to manufacture thin film solar modules using ultra-large 5.7m² glass panels. GET has awarded Applied Materials, Inc. a contract to deliver a thin film solar module production line to its planned solar fab in TaoYuan, Taiwan.

“We are pleased to work with GET and its parent, Tatung Company, which has a long history and excellent reputation for quality products”

Mr. Hurlon Lin, president of GET, stated, “From our position in supplying wafers for crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing, we are seeing a tightened supply of silicon material driven by heavy demand from the solar and semiconductor industries. Using thin film technology for solar cells capitalizes on the greater availability of these glass substrates and the expanding worldwide need for cost-effective photovoltaic panels.

“There are significant economic advantages to large-area thin film solar technology and, based on Applied Materials’ proven expertise in large-area flat panel manufacturing, we trust Applied to provide the technology and experience that can help make our new venture a success,” added Mr. Lin.

Applied will deliver a fully integrated line of equipment for a solar panel manufacturing facility with a nominal rated capacity of 40 megawatts per year. The systems are scheduled to be shipped and installed during the first half of 2008 with production expected later that year. GET plans to target rapidly-growing applications for these more cost-effective, large-area modules, such as power plant and building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) installations.

“We are pleased to work with GET and its parent, Tatung Company, which has a long history and excellent reputation for quality products,” said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied’s New Business and New Products Group. “Based on Applied’s extensive experience in providing multiple generations of systems for making continuously larger substrates in the flat panel display industry, we expect these ultra-large panels to provide similar cost benefits to the solar industry.”

Green Energy Technology Inc., Ltd. (GET) was invested by San-Chih Semiconductor through an equity investment by Tatung and incorporated in July, 2004. GET’s main products are multi-crystal silicon wafers (125x125mm or 156x156mm) in thicknesses ranging from 325-200µm, and single-crystal ingots and wafers. GET’s web site is www.getinc.com.tw.

Tatung Company, founded in 1918, is a diversified conglomerate of four business groups: 3C; home appliances; industrial appliances; and wire and cable. Tatung follows a strategy of vertical integration of an industry to provide competitive advantages in supply chain efficiency and profitability. Headquartered in Taipei, Tatung has branches in Europe, North America, Mainland China and Southwest Asia. Tatung’s web site is www.tatung.com.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panels, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.