May 12, 2008 - Applied Materials has added a service program guaranteeing the performance cost/output of its SunFab thin-film line for producing solar modules.

"Guaranteeing performance through cost of operation and associated megawatt output represents a major shift from the traditional service model," said Manfred Kerschbaum, SVP/GM of Applied Global Services, in a statement. He called the new service "a comprehensive service program that represents a step function improvement in value and the most complete and dependable choice for maintaining and optimizing their investment."

First announced customer of the service is Spain's T-Solar Global, which has signed a multiyear agreement after ordering a 40MW/yr max capacity SunFab line in 2007.

"By entrusting the equipment, maintenance and performance of our solar production line to Applied, we are guaranteed specific results that minimize our risk, shorten our time to production, and meet our profit goals," said Cesar Alberte, fab director of T-Solar, in a statement. "We view this as the most economic solution to running our solar fab that over time will allow us to drop the cost per watt of solar energy."