engineering the solar age - Suppliers for Photovoltaics

Involved right from the beginning

PV is more than just a commonly used abbreviation for “photovoltaics” – it is also the initials of “Pfeiffer Vacuum”. Even back in 1890, the vacuum pumps developed by the company’s founder, Arthur Pfeiffer, played a major role in the production of incandescent lamps. And things are not that much different today, they have just been reversed: Light is used to generate electricity. With developing the turbomolecular pump in 1958, Pfeiffer Vacuum made a breakthrough innovation that had a revolutionary impact on deposition technology.

Turbopumps from Pfeiffer Vacuum are employed in the production of solar modules to deposit metallic, TCO and antireflective coatings. In fact, true pioneering work was performed in the 1990s in connection with CIGS technology, which subjects turbopumps to condensing process gases. Yet the requirements here are exactly the opposite of that: The pumps have to be able to tolerate condensation and be appropriately safeguarded. At the same time, the pumping speed in the systems should be as high as possible. Thanks to their compact design and good price-performance ratio, turbopumps from Pfeiffer Vacuum have an outstanding track record here that stretches back over decades.

Founded in 1890, Pfeiffer Vacuum is one of the world’s leading providers of vacuum solutions with more than 2,200 people and 28 subsidiaries worldwide. Our portfolio comprises a full range of hybrid and magnetically levitated turbopumps, a range of backing pumps, measurement and analysis devices, components and vacuum chambers. Starting with the invention of the turbopump by Pfeiffer Vacuum, our company has continuously striven for innovative solutions and high-technology products, which are applied in many industrial markets such as analytical, R&D, environmental technology, chemistry, semiconductor, coating, as well as in the automotive industry and a number of other fields.

Coating systems for solar cells place high requirements on the vacuum equipment with respect to reliability. Pfeiffer Vacuum enjoys a reputation for offering innovative, efficient and reliable vacuum solutions ranging from high to low vacuum for photovoltaic industry applications. In addition to individual components, we also offer pumping stations that are customized for specific needs.

High-quality, dependable products. First-class service. Competent advice.

These are our strengths!