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As part of its new strategy to focus greater effort and resources on technological advancements of its solar cells, Q-Cells will be launching a polycrystalline cell with a conversion efficiency of 17% in 2010, using existing production lines. The cells were developed at Q-Cells new €50 million ‘Technikum’ pilot line in Thalheim, Germany. Q-Cells claimed this was a new efficiency record for polycrystalline cells. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has tested and certified that modules using the high-performance cells achieved efficiency of 15.9% and an output of 249W.
“The efficiencies already achieved are only the beginning,” noted Anton Milner, Chairman of the Executive Board at Q-Cells. “We are of course delighted with this achievement, which is after all a world record. Particularly in such difficult times as the present, this is evidence that we should continue to focus strongly on technology demonstrates the technological capabilities and advantages that we at Q-Cells and more generally in a country such as Germany have.”
Q-Cells also said that when the development phase has been finished further increases in the efficiency rating are expected when volume production is started.
