Leading Technology for Solar Energy

Mastering the module back end process PV conference, Hong-Kong oct 2009 Andréas von Kaenel, 3S Industries, COO Pasan

Mastering the module back end process  3S at a glance  In depth process know-how

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 4 The very beginning: first 3S High-tech project

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 5 The very beginning: first 3S High-tech project

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 6 Milestones of te growth strategy Founded as developer and producer of solar modules for building integration in 2001 Development of production equipment for solar modules Sales of first laminating line to a high- volume producer after the machine has been benchmarked Sales of manual turn- key lines IPO at Berne Exchange (BX) Management structure enhances further growth Break even reached, highly profitable since then Acquisition of Pasan, the leading supplier of testers Acquisition of Somont Capital increase Global market leadership Sale of first semi automated production line Market introduction of fully automated production line Opening of sales and services in USA Delivery of the first fully automated Back-end of a production line Expansion of distribution network with own sales and service organization in Hong Kong and Singapore

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 7 3S Industries, a global presence Pasan SA Neuchâtel (CH) Somont GmbH Freiburg (D) 3S Swiss Solar Systems Lyss (CH) 3S Industries Ltd Tucson (AZ) 3S Industries Ltd Barcelona (E) Bergen Associates New Dehli (IN) 3S Industries Ltd Hong-Kong (HQ APAC) 3S China Kunshan 3S Singapur

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 8 Business Model Experts in design and development of innovative building integrated solar systems World’s market leader for production equipment for manufacturing of solar modules Know-how accumulated from the conception and production of solar modules flows directly into further development of production equipment

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 9 BIPV Project example: Water and Life center (USA)

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 10 Production front end 3S’ positioning in the solar energy value chain Production back-end System design Operation Cristalline cell Thin Film cell (a-Si, μ-Si, CIS, CIGS, CdT, …)

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 11 Back-end production Process Testing Soldering Cells Glass cleaning Foil cutting 1. Heating & Vacuum & Pressure 2. Cooling 1. Edge trimming 2. Frame press 3. Junction box Sorting & Packing AssemblyLamination Lay-up Power testing Cell connetion c-Si Thin-film: PV-Substrate monolithic interconnected thin-film cells on substrate

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 12 Product and Service Overview Product groups Component Production Production lines Photovoltaic systems Lines of various automation degrees Technology transfer Certification assistance Turn-key solutions Stringer 1) Laminators 2) Cell and module testers 2) Edge trimming machines 2) Framing machines 2) Module sorters 2) MegaSlate roofing systems Shading Glassing OEM Production Global presence Switzerland Europe Geographical reach 1) For crystalline silicon2) for crystalline silicon and thin-film

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 13 Fast technology transfer gives our customers a competitive advantage 1 MW Solar BIPV glass/glass modules produced by Lucky Power 3S Services include Know How Transfer and Certification 8 th world-games 2009 Taiwan

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 14 Mastering the module back end process  3S at a glance  In depth process know-how

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 15 Mastering the module back end process What is actually the value for the module producer ? Product quality  product performance  long life time warranty TCO  throughput  yield Time to market  know-how transfer  services Require an in depth Know How of the process Examples:  Soldering process  Laminating process  Performance measurement  Optimised production line  Fast track certification

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 16 Soldering process Somont Stringer

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 17 Soldering process Soft-touch:  process research with Fraunhofer on crystalline silicon material analysis  progressive heating of the cell  controlled small energy add to achieve soldering  progressive cooling of the cell  low stress, low breakage rate  high yield

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 18 Laminating process 3S Swiss Solar Systems Laminator

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 19 Laminating process Temperature uniformity of ± 1%:  patented hybrid heating system  very homogenous and controlled temperature distribution over the whole laminating area  reproducible and high level cross-linking  better quality control  faster process Heating plate Electrical rod Heat carrier oil

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 20 Performance measurement Pasan Sun Simulator

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 21 Performance measurement Spectral matching with AM 1.5g IEC 60904:  Spectral match has an impact on measurement accuracy, especially for thin films  Accuracy determines the performance of the produced modules  Class AA-AA-AA, achieved through:  high density plasma Xenon tubes  interferential filters

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 22 Production line Degree of automation Output

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 23 Turn-key automated Module Production Line Glass washing machine Stringer Lay-up Laminating line Edge-triming Junction box Framing Performance measurement

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 24 Turn-key fully automated Module Production Line Junction box Framing Trimming Laminating lines Performance measurement Sorter Lay-up Bussing Glass washing machine Stringers

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 25 Production line Degree of automation Output ? Will require even more process, design and material know-how and integration

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 26 Know-How transfer and Fast track Standard certification process Line production and commissionning Ramp-up Product certification Production Fast Track ( in partnership with ) Line production and commissionning Ramp-up Product certification Production 3-6 months faster time-to-market Factory inspection

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 27 Disclaimer Certain statements made in this presentation may constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking information is subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These include statements concerning our expectations and other statements that are not historical facts. The Company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions and reflect the judgement of 3S Industries AG’s management based on factors currently known by it. No assurance can be given that these forward-looking statements will prove accurate and correct, or that anticipated, projected future results will be achieved.

3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page Page 28 Thank you for your attention