Applied Materials will stop selling its 'SunFab' thin-film lines to potential new customers and focuse on c-Si and LED manufacturing equipment and technology.

Accordong to Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO of Applied Materials, "While Applied has delivered significant innovations with our SunFab production line and made substantial progress on our technology roadmap, the thin-film market has been negatively impacted by several factors, including delays in utility-scale solar adoption, solar panel manufacturers' challenges in obtaining affordable capital, changes and uncertainty in government renewable energy policies, and competitive pressure from crystalline silicon technologies. Led by Mark Pinto, Applied's Energy and Environmental Solutions  will focus on our industry-leading crystalline silicon solar business and on pursuing other opportunities in advanced energy technologies like LED lighting."

However, as for the equipment that makes up the SunFab line, Applied said that it would be continue to offer individual tools for sale to thin-film solar manufacturers, including CVD and PVD equipment. R&D efforts to improve thin-film efficiency levels and high-productivity deposition would continue for existing customers.