Forging ahead with its ambitious solar technology development, California-based Applied Materials has announced the opening of its SunFab Technology Centre in Alzenau, Germany.

According to the company, the 2,000 square meter centre, will serve as Applied Materials' principal solar research and development centre. The centre includes Applied Materials' PECVD and ATON PVD systems, laser tools and fab automation software. It also includes a complete sequence of equipment that is representative of the Applied SunFab Thin Film Line for large-volume manufacturing of solar circuits, the company said.

Financial details of Applied's investment in the new centre have not been disclosed. Since launching its plan to enter the photovoltaic market last year, Applied Materials has made a number of acquisitions and moves to stake a solid place in the fast-growing renewable energy realm.

"This centre is a demonstration of Applied Materials' commitment to accelerating the growth of the solar market, advancing PV technology and reducing the cost of solar energy," said Mark Pinto, Applied Materials' senior VP, CTO and energy and environmental solutions group general manager.

Applied also announced that it has named Mark Walker to be managing director of global community affairs, where he will be responsible for the company's worldwide philanthropic efforts and serve as executive director of the Applied Materials Foundation.

Walker will join the company in January 2008 from United Way Silicon Valley, where he has served as president and CEO since 2002, leading the organization's strategic planning, fundraising and leadership giving, and fund distribution activities.

In another recent executive coup for the company, former Texas Instruments CTO and senior VP of silicon technology development, Hans Stork, has been named the new CTO and group VP of Applied Materials' silicon systems group (SSG).

By Colleen Taylor, Contributing Editor - Electronic News

See also: the Electronics Weekly focus on solar cells, presenting a roundup of content related to photovoltaic technologies, converting light sources to energy.