BOC Lien Hwa (BOCLH) has said that the NexPower plant is expected to begin operations by the second quarter of 2008. It will use a new thin-film technology that enables the production of large-scale solar panels that have an area more than five times of those currently produced, according to the firm.
Under a long-term agreement, BOCLH will provide NexPower with turnkey installation of the special gases supply systems and ongoing delivery of the gases essential to making thin film solar cells.
These gases include large volumes of silane and hydrogen gas, used to deposit silicon light absorber layers on large sheets of glass, and cleaning gases used to remove silicon deposits from the process chambers.
Alex Tong, president of BOCLH, said: BOCLH is excited to be a part of this new and developing technology which we believe will have an expanding role in Taiwan’s power supply infrastructure in the coming years. Our partnership with NexPower reinforces Linde’s mission to develop and apply advanced gas technologies that help manufacturers move towards lower cost energy.
