n-PASHA Alliance Awarded 100 MW n-type Technology and Equipment Order for Nexolon Turnkey Project in USA

GUETENBACH, Germany, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The n-PASHA Alliance (RENA GmbH, ECN and Tempress Systems, Inc.), is pleased to announce today that it has been selected by Nexolon America LLC to provide n-type technology and equipment to its photovoltaic cell production facility in San Antonio, Texas. RENA, with its longtime relationship to Nexolon, is the contractual partner of Nexolon for this 100 MW turnkey project. The n-PASHA technology and equipment is designed to produce breakthrough, next generation n-type high-efficiency cells enabling the production of bi-facial modules. This order is the first phase of a planned 200 MW turnkey project for Nexolon.

Mr. Woojeong Lee, President of Nexolon America LLC, commented: "Through evaluation of different technologies we chose the n-PASHA technology because it has proven to deliver high levels of solar cell efficiency and importantly, at an attractive cost structure making the n-PASHA technology highly beneficial with regard to the overall cost of energy produced by solar farms."

Tempress (The Netherlands), the solar subsidiary of Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), ECN (The Netherlands) and RENA (Germany) established their Alliance to jointly offer a technology transfer of the n-PASHA n-type bi-facial cell concept developed by ECN. Recent production technology improvements yield average cell efficiencies above 19.5% at competitive production cost. The n-type cells used for bi-facial modules generate electricity from light coming through both the front and rear side of the modules and in this way generate up to 20% more power in solar farms. Additionally, the n-type cells do not suffer from LID (light induced degradation) where power loss is typically three percent for commonly used p-type cells.  

Mr. Juergen Gutekunst, CEO of RENA GmbH, explains: "n-PASHA technology is the high efficiency technology with excellent cost-benefit ratio. As one of the leading suppliers for wet etching, cleaning and plating processes we optimized our products for applications in the trend setting n-PASHA sequence. n-PASHA helps us and our customer to stay at the cutting edge."

Mr. Fokko Pentinga, CEO of Amtech Systems, Inc., commented: "We have found that through continued advancement of the n-PASHA technology we deliver a competitive next generation high efficiency solar solution. This is the second order for this technology underscoring the Alliance is on the right technology path as the solar market progresses to higher value solutions. At Tempress, with our industry-leading Alliance partners, we are well-positioned to deliver these advanced technologies to the marketplace.  We look forward to working with Nexolon in San Antonio, a solar hub in the USA, on this exciting project."

Mr. Robert Kleiburg, COO of ECN, commented: "We are very proud that such a prestigious company as Nexolon has chosen ECN's n-PASHA technology for its new production facility in San Antonio. n-type silicon solar cells are gaining market share rapidly and the Alliance is speeding up the roadmap towards even higher performances. We are looking forward to intensify our collaboration with our alliance partners RENA and Tempress and the n-PASHA community to achieve our common goal to deliver better PV products."

About Nexolon
Nexolon is the leading solution provider in the solar energy industry. They are advancing to be a global leader in the renewable energy industry by manufacturing central components for solar power generation such as varieties of solar ingots, wafers, cells and modules. Nexolon manufactures the backbone components of solar power generation by procuring raw materials from prestigious global polysilicon makers and by obtaining the latest, state-of-the-art cell and module equipment. Polysilicon is melted down to produce a highly purified silicon cylinder called an ingot which is then sliced into wafers out of which solar cells can be made. A solar module is an arrangement of solar cells. Since the electricity produced from each cell is gathered simultaneously in a solar module, it is possible to generate electricity safely and regularly when installed in areas with ample sunlight.

About ECN
With and for the market, ECN develops knowledge and technology that enable a transition to a sustainable energy system. Countries and their economies develop and grow. To meet the future energy needs, the global energy system needs to become more sustainable. ECN's groundbreaking renewable energy technologies and knowledge offer businesses and governments economic opportunities and innovative distinctiveness. ECN plays a leading role in energy R&D and policy advice and has gained a strong reputation worldwide in the fields of solar and wind energy, bio-energy, energy efficiency, environmental research and policy studies. Our track record of success is illustrated by the fact that over 60% of all solar modules in the world contain ECN technology and 80% of Europe's offshore wind farms is realized with R&D and support from ECN. Employing around 500 professionals and having multiple branches in Europe and Asia, ECN works on sustainability every day.

About RENA GmbH
"THE WET PROCESSING COMPANY" RENA regards itself as one of the world's leading suppliers of high-tech equipment and plants, primarily for water treatment and wet chemical surface processing. The areas of application for RENA products – Water Treatment, Renewable Energy, Health & Others – reflect the vital needs of people living in today's industrial society. RENA products are used to treat water, waste water and chemicals and to process surfaces of products such as solar cells, circuit boards and dental implants using wet chemicals or water. RENA produces both standardized machines and systems with guaranteed processes and machines and systems tailored to specific customer requirements. The surfaces of around 50% of solar cells produced worldwide are textured using RENA systems. Alongside solar activities, products for the area of Renewable Energy include energy storage units, efficient combined heat and power plants and waste to energy solutions. Typical products for the field of Health & Others include surface processing systems for dental implants and production systems for milk products. www.rena.com

About Amtech Systems, Inc.
Amtech Systems, Inc. manufactures capital equipment, including silicon wafer handling automation, thermal processing equipment and related consumables used in fabricating solar cells, LED and semiconductor devices. Semiconductors, or semiconductor chips, are fabricated on silicon wafer substrates, sliced from ingots, and are part of the circuitry, or electronic components, of many products including solar cells, computers, telecommunications devices, automotive products, consumer goods, and industrial automation and control systems. The Company's wafer handling, thermal processing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation, and deposition steps used in the fabrication of solar cells, LEDs, semiconductors, MEMS and the polishing of newly sliced silicon wafers.  www.amtechsystems.com

Christensen
Investor Relations
Patty Bruner
(480) 201-6075
[email protected]

SOURCE n-PASHA Alliance