In this roll-to-roll process, a plastic foil runs over a tape drive with several rolls and is then coated photovoltaically offering solar PV cells that are particularly suited to large industrial roofs, Centrotherm says.

FHR Anlagenbau’s foil coating systems are due to be shipped next year and will form a central component of a CIGS thin-film solar PV solar cell production system with an annual capacity of 20 MW.

The order is one of a series of joint ventures between FHE Anlagenbau and Solarion in the development and production of flexible CIGS thin-film solar PV cells on plastic substrates since 2002.

Dr. Reinhard Fendler, Managing Director of FHR Anlagenbau explains: "We are now taking the step into the mass production of flexible CIGS solar cells."

Solarion is planning to expand production at the Leipzig site to 180 MW.