Solar module manufacturer Waaree Energies has entered into a tie-up with US-based GT Advanced Technologies for incorporating the American company’s ‘Merlin’ technology into its production process. The technology is said to result in reduction in cost of modules by 10 per cent.

GTAT, a company that has filed for bankruptcy under the US “Chapter 11” (whereby the company will not have to pay its creditors until it comes out of bankruptcy), announced its new technology for connecting PV cells into a module. The ‘cell metallization and interconnect technology, dubbed ‘Merlin’, has been claimed to practically eliminate the use of expensive silver paste to string up cells. The result is 80 per cent reduction in silver paste consumption, and a 10 per cent overall reduction in the cost of producing the module.

“In addition to the India based cooperation, the companies are exploring the possibility of establishing a Waaree run module factory in the US to deliver “Made in the US” Advanced Technology Modules to the US market. This will enable GT’s US based advanced Technology Module customers to seamlessly transition from pilot production in GT’s Merlin Technology Center in California to the high volume factory,” says a statement from Waaree.

 Describing the ‘Merlin’ technology, GTAT’s website notes that a key component of the technology is “a flexible grid that replaces the three silver bus bars” (the silver lines through which electricity flows). It further adds that the modules “are expected to be more reliable and durable and enable form factors that are lighter and easier to handle resulting in lower shipment and installations costs.”

Waaree said in its statement that it plans to “aggressively participate in the Indian EPC/IPP markets and offer industry best-of-class” cost of energy.

GTAT is into several products—it produces crystals for many industrial applications, polysilicon manufacturing equipment, photo voltaic modules and scratch-free glass.

Earlier this month, the company received a $578 million advance funding from Apple for producing for Apple scratch-free glass using a crystalline form of aluminium oxide, an alternative to the potassium-enhanced ‘gorilla glass’ that Apple uses for its iPhone screens.

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