Timo builds pilot line for dye solar cell manufacturing

Sara Ver-Bruggen - 01 Oct 2010

Korean communications technology company Timo has built a pilot line for manufacturing dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs).

The company's strategy is to both produce cells using a commercial proprietary manufacturing process and also create products that integrate the cells.

From 2012 onwards the company will target applications such as solar panels for powering street lights and supplementary power sources for consumer electronics. From 2014, the company will target building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications with its cells.

Global market

Initially Timo will focus on the Korean market, with the long-term view of supplying DSSC demand globally as the market begins to establish itself in the latter part of the coming decade.

Timo began its DSSC business in 2007, in partnership with Australian DSSC materials supplier Dyesol.

Timo is not the only business in Asia looking to diversify into the emerging DSSC industry through setting up manufacturing. Earlier this year Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing (SAM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dyesol to develop manufacturing equipment and tools in order to produce dye solar cells.

Construction of the line is not expected to happen for another year, at least. Details on the tools and techniques of the line are being kept under wraps.

The line will only produce cells from materials supplied by Dyesol. The joint venture MOU could lead to will focus on supply Asian demand for dye solar cells initially.

+Plastic Electronics Volume 3, issue 2, will include a series of special features on the commercialisation of dye-sensitised solar cells. The magazine will also be appearing at the forthcoming 4th International Conference on the Industrialisation of Dye Solar Cells, 1-4 November 2010.
To subscribe in time for the next issue, visit our subscriptions page. For more information, email Editor Dan Rogers at daniel.rogers@pira-international.com.