GT Advanced Technologies touts FBR polysilicon cost reduction breakthrough

October 29, 2012
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Specialist equipment supplier, GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) is claiming its new hydrochlorination solution for trichlorosilane (TCS) production used in fluid bed reactor (FBR) polysilicon production takes production costs below US$14/kg.

Polysilicon prices have been in declining sharply for several years due to overcapacity and weaker than expected demand, which is driving the need to find innovative ways to reduce polysilicon production costs for the key technologies used (Siemens process and FBR) to make the material.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Dave Keck, vice president and general manager of GT's Polysilicon Business Unit, said: “In volatile and changing market conditions polysilicon producers must find ways to improve their cost structure to remain competitive. Our new hydrochlorination solutions, combined with our industry-leading SDR reactors, address this need.”

GTAT said that the new hydrochlorination solution was designed for high-volume applications (10,000 tonnes per annum), and would provide a 20% reduction in the cost of ownership.

However, GTAT also claims that its next generation hydrochlorination heater technology further reduces production costs by increasing conversion in the hydrochlorination FBR step from 27% to 30%.

When combined with its ‘SDR 600’ reactor capable of producing over 600 tonnes of polysilicon annually, a polysilicon cash cost of US$14/kg can be achieved.
 

Read Next

Premium
October 17, 2025
According to Ronak Maheshwari of CRC-IB, there has been a struggle for US renewable power projects to secure necessary equity .
October 17, 2025
Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec has signed lease agreements for 64MW of solar PV and 10MWh of energy storage capacity in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
October 17, 2025
A group of over 20 US states are suing the Trump administration for the cancellation of the US$7 billion Solar For All Scheme.
October 16, 2025
Masdar and Turkey have entered the final stage of US$1 billion agreement to develop the 1.1GW plant in Bor, Niğde Province, central Turkey.
October 16, 2025
T1 Energy and Nextracker have agreed to use the latter’s steel module frames at the former’s new 5GW module manufacturing facility in Dallas.
October 16, 2025
US utility-scale solar additions grew by 56% in 2024, reaching 30GW from 2023’s 19GW and representing over 54% of all new electricity generation capacity added in the country last year.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK