Swedish solar energy expert Midsummer, a leading provider of equipment for cost-effective manufacturing of flexible CIGS thin film solar cells, has received an order for its compact DUO solar cell manufacturing system to an undisclosed customer.

Midsummer has recently signed a multi million USD order for its DUO system from an undisclosed multinational corporation. The potential client placed the order after visiting Midsummer in Sweden and after thorough and successful testing of the machine, which will be delivered to the client in October 2015.

The Midsummer DUO is a compact, fully automatic deposition system for CIGS solar cell manufacturing. Its designed for high throughput, operational stability, optimized layer uniformity and superior material utilization.

"We have again shown that we are the leading provider of turnkey production lines of flexible thin film CIGS", said Sven Lindström, CEO, Midsummer. "Our focus on lightweight flexible modules appeals to the market, as well as our use of sputtering for all layers, and that the production process is an all-dry, all vacuum process."

Midsummer is a leading global provider of turnkey production lines for cost-effective manufacturing of flexible thin film CIGS (copper, indium, gallium and selenium) solar cells. Midsummer has developed a rapid process for the production of these solar cells using sputtering of all layers of the solar cell. This allows for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of thin film solar cells. Midsummer's customers are manufacturers of thin-film solar cells worldwide.

"Fewer large scale solar energy parks are being built in Europe and the global solar cell market is facing a paradigm shift. Focus is shifting to installations on large buildings in cities. Lightweight and flexible thin film solar cells are ideal for this market. It is economically and environmentally more beneficial to use solar energy locally, where it is produced", Sven Lindström concluded.

Midsummer has been named as one of Sweden's hottest technology companies and also been repeatedly featured on the list of the nation's fastest growing technology companies. Midsummer was the fastest growing cleantech company in the EMEA region in 2007-2011 (Deloitte, Fast 500).

For photos of thin film CIGS solar cells and the Midsummer manufacturing equipment, please go to http://www.midsummer.se/pressmediagallery.html or contact Mr. Lindström.

For additional information please contact:
Sven Lindström
CEO, Midsummer
Email: sven.lindstrom@midsummer.se
Phone: +46-8-525 09 610

About Midsummer
Midsummer is a leading supplier of equipment for cost-effective manufacturing of CIGS thin film flexible solar cells. Midsummers turnkey manufacturing lines have a small footprint, are perfectly scalable and allow for small-scale production of solar cells and modules.

Midsummers customers are thin film solar cell manufacturers all over the world. CIGS flexible solar modules are growing in popularity thanks to their low weight, flexibility and durability. Applications are e.g. floating modules, vehicles, landfills, portable power generation and membrane roofs on factories, offices and other structures that are not strong enough for traditional glass modules.

Founded in 2004 by people with a background from the optical disc manufacturing equipment and the photo mask industry, Midsummer has its head office in Stockholm, Sweden. Midsummer was the fastest growing green tech company in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) in 2007-2011 (according to Deloitte).

About CIGS thin film solar cells
CIGS stands for copper-indium-gallium-selenium, a metal alloy that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect (PV). The CIGS absorber is deposited on a stainless steel substrate, along with electrodes on the front to collect current. The cells are then connected in series and covered by a protective layer of plastic to form a flexible solar module.

Since a stainless steel substrate is used, the modules can be made without glass. The CIGS solar modules are therefore much lighter, flexible and can be made frameless, to suit applications where traditional silicon solar cells cannot be used, e.g. on structures that are uneven, moving or weak.

CIGS solar cells are manufactured by sputtering the material onto 156x156 mm stainless steel substrates. The solar cells from Midsummer are free of cadmium, a toxic material usually used in CIGS and other thin film solar cells. Flexible CIGS solar modules are gaining market share thanks to its high efficiency, low weight, flexibility and durability.