As a technology company delivering “turnkey” solutions for the production of low cost thin-film solar modules, Solar Thin Films, Inc. is active in maintaining its technology and leadership position. The company’s development effort is focused on:

• Design and development of higher throughput, automated manufacturing equipment for the production of a-Si thin-film PV modules - in order to lower costs and increase the scalability of the offering.
• Increases in module efficiency through continuous improvements in its existing a-Si process and with the addition of a higher efficiency micromorph process - in order to further lower production costs and reduce associated balance of systems costs.

The company expects that its planned acquisition of BudaSolar will contribute significantly to this effort (see Company News - "Solar Thin Films Announces BudaSolar Wins Two Key R&D Awards" and "Solar Thin Films Announces Acquisition of BudaSolar Technologies Co. Ltd.").

In addition, Solar Thin Films has signed a Strategic Alliance and Cross License Agreement with Amelio Solar, Inc. in order to secure certain rights to market and manufacture equipment for the production of CIGS thin-film solar modules, another low-cost, high efficiency alternative to the company’s existing a-Si process and planned micromorph process.