EU PVSEC HAMBURG, GERMANY: Oerlikon Solar, the world’s leading supplier of thin film silicon photovoltaic (PV) production equipment, today announced that it has achieved a new stabilized record efficiency level for amorphous silicon (a-Si) single junction PV cells.
Recent test results reconfirmed and approved by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) show efficiencies of more than 10 percent power conversion. These results set a new world record for amorphous thin film silicon PV technology. The R&D group of Oerlikon Solar in Neuchâtel was able to consistently reproduce cells with similar record efficiencies, demonstrating a stable and repeatable process.
“This achievement impressively demonstrates Oerlikon Solar’s unique ability to rapidly drive thin film silicon PV technology towards grid parity,” said Jeannine Sargent. High cell efficiencies on amorphous silicon are a key driver for both, amorphIHIGH PERFORMANCE and proprietary Micromorph® PV technology.
The excellent performance of the record cells demonstrates the advantage of Oerlikon Solar’s thin film silicon PV technology, once more verifying the company’s comprehensive R&D roadmap. Oerlikon Solar’s advanced deposition equipment technology and its vast process know-how result in an optimized cell design that enables the achievement of higher conversion efficiencies. The recent success on a-Si cell efficiency serves as basis to achieve Micromorph® production modules at stabilized efficiencies of 10% or more.
Leading R&D and fastest time to market
Oerlikon Solar is the clear technology and market leader in the field of thin film silicon PV technology, investing significantly in research and development efforts. This record is the latest result of Oerlikon Solar’s ongoing development program and reinforces its role as a technology and market leader.
“We successfully implemented several innovative modifications of key processes, leading to this new record in stabilized cell efficiency which presents a historic milestone for amorphous silicon technology,” said Dr. Johannes Meier, CTO Thin Film at Oerlikon Solar: “We are confident that our ability to repeatedly achieve record results can be transferred into mass production soon.”
Thin film silicon solar offers cost advantages over traditional crystalline silicon and is demonstrating increasingly impressive efficiency gains. Oerlikon Solar occupies a unique position in this rapidly growing market.
To date, the company has supplied manufacturing facilities with a total capacity of over 450 megawatts, and has established a strong execution track record, with each of its customers achieving their technology and commercialization milestones on time.
By the end of 2010, the company aims to launch the first PV module production lines that are price competitive compared to conventional energy sources in suitable regions.
Showing posts with label NREL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NREL. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Suniva ARTisun solar cells surpass 18 percent efficiency in production
NORCROSS, USA: Suniva Inc., the only US manufacturer of high-power monocrystalline silicon solar cells, announced that its ARTisun series solar cells are achieving conversion efficiencies of more than 18 percent in production, a record for screen- printed cells in regular full-scale production.
“Customers are expecting high-quality, high-efficiency products at lower costs,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “Suniva continues to lead these market requirements, delivering cells, and modules from our partners, that strike a sensible balance of power and affordability.”
Suniva’s ARTisun series solar cells are manufactured with optimized metallization techniques and proprietary process innovations, both of which maintain low cost while extracting the highest efficiencies possible. Suniva produces solar cells which are integrated into high-performance solar modules available through Suniva and its global customer partners.
Suniva also announced the start of production on its second manufacturing line at the Norcross plant. The new 64MWp line will triple the production capacity of the facility to approximately 100MWp.
“Our strategy supports both rapid expansion and continual technology advances,” said Baumstark. “Less than a year ago, we opened the doors to our first facility. Today, we have entered our next stage of growth and development with a significant manufacturing expansion.”
Through processes initiated by Suniva founder and CTO, Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, and further developed in Suniva’s R&D lab, the company has achieved certified efficiencies of more than 20 percent on screen-printed cells in the lab (certified by NREL). Suniva plans to steadily raise its commercial cell efficiencies above 20 percent through a series of incremental design and processing innovations.
“Suniva has a strong technology and market advantage because our patent portfolio is based on laboratory innovations that we can translate into cost-efficient manufacturing processes,” said Rohatgi.
“Customers are expecting high-quality, high-efficiency products at lower costs,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “Suniva continues to lead these market requirements, delivering cells, and modules from our partners, that strike a sensible balance of power and affordability.”
Suniva’s ARTisun series solar cells are manufactured with optimized metallization techniques and proprietary process innovations, both of which maintain low cost while extracting the highest efficiencies possible. Suniva produces solar cells which are integrated into high-performance solar modules available through Suniva and its global customer partners.
Suniva also announced the start of production on its second manufacturing line at the Norcross plant. The new 64MWp line will triple the production capacity of the facility to approximately 100MWp.
“Our strategy supports both rapid expansion and continual technology advances,” said Baumstark. “Less than a year ago, we opened the doors to our first facility. Today, we have entered our next stage of growth and development with a significant manufacturing expansion.”
Through processes initiated by Suniva founder and CTO, Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, and further developed in Suniva’s R&D lab, the company has achieved certified efficiencies of more than 20 percent on screen-printed cells in the lab (certified by NREL). Suniva plans to steadily raise its commercial cell efficiencies above 20 percent through a series of incremental design and processing innovations.
“Suniva has a strong technology and market advantage because our patent portfolio is based on laboratory innovations that we can translate into cost-efficient manufacturing processes,” said Rohatgi.
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