Calyxo has revealed that its CdTe cell technology has reached 16.2% efficiency, a figure that has been verified by Germany’s SGS testing body. The company uses its proprietary low-cost “hot and fast” atmospheric deposition process in the manufacture of its CdTe cells. Calyxo’s CTO Michael Bauer also expressed confidence in the technology’s potential to reach 17–18% cell efficiency and 14–15% top module efficiency by the end of the year.
Calyxo’s 25MWp production line in Bitterfeld/Wolfen-Thalheim employs over 150 staff. A second production line, with a capacity of 60MWp, is scheduled to start commercial production later this year. Calyxo split from Q-Cells in February 2011 and is now owned by the original technology provider Solar Fields, LLC, based in Toledo, Ohio.
NREL verified First Solar's claim of 17.3% efficiency on test CdTe cells in July 2011.
