Applied Materials released a software management system for managing solar wafers in non-automated solar power plants. One of the biggest problems with solar power plants is reaching maximum efficiency, which usually involves wafer adjustment for optimal position during the day. Non-automated plants require constant laborous monitoring and adjusting, which can be costly and time consuming. With the introduction of SmartMove, operators of non-automated solar power plants should find it much easier to operate their solar power generation systems with optimal results.

According to the company, the technology integrates with existing solar facilities in an "unintrusive" way, without requiring any changes in the existing MES code. SmartMove integrates Applied Materials' Activity Manager workflow automation software with LotTrack (Intellion technology; radio frequency and ultrasound wafer carrier tracking system). A plant operator's MES is continuously updated with exact location of every wafer carrier, which enables the MES to optimize operator efficiency by sending out warning and informational messages. This releaves the operator from data entry and reduced cycle time.