Solar panels on Oerlikon's rooftop

Tokyo Electron(TEL), a leading global supplier of innovative semiconductor production equipment, has announced a strategic alliance with Oerlikon Solar, the world’s leading supplier of thin film silicon photovoltaic (PV) production equipment .

“By forming an alliance with Oerlikon Solar, TEL will be able to satisfy its customers with outstanding equipment and related support, while drawing upon the technology and supporting capabilities it has acquired in the semiconductor and FPD production equipment markets,” commented Terry Higashi, Chairman and CEO, TEL.

“This strategic alliance between TEL and Oerlikon Solar creates a new solar powerhouse which will unlock the huge potential of the Asian solar market. There could be no better partnership in the center of the Asian solar market” emphasizes Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO of Oerlikon. Together, TEL and Oerlikon will significantly expand the adoption of thin film silicon PV technology in Asia, Oceania and Japan, areas which are already leading in solar adoption and export.

The partnership will be based on TEL’s extensive sales and customer support network, semiconductor experience and highly respected market leadership and on Oerlikon Solar’s proven, industry-leading PV technology. TEL will become the exclusive representative for Oerlikon Solar’s thin film silicon PV equipment and end to end production solutions in Asia, Oceania and Japan. We will also provide manpower and services in the area of installation, ramp-up and customer service.

TEL has more than 45 years of experience in semiconductors and flat panel display (FPD) production equipment. TEL's established network of sales and support resources and Oerlikon Solar’s proven technology is a winning combination for the thin film PV market.

Oerlikon Solar provides the industry’s most complete production equipment, technology and services for thin film silicon PV modules, offering critical cost and performance advantages for emerging solar markets. “Our strategic partnership with TEL is designed to leverage complementary strengths to create the quality and scale of thin film silicon PV needed to satisfy the growing demand for clean and economically viable energy sources.

This partnership will benefit our customers enormously in Asian emerging growth markets with predictable end-to-end manufacturing facilities for thin film solar panels and local sales and customer support through TEL’s global network” , said Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar.