According to just released worldwide photovoltaic production figures from Photon magazine, Q-Cells was the largest manufacturer of solar cells in 2007. This was based on the forecast production output of 370MWp, surpassing Sharp for the first time.
Q-Cells said in a financial statement that has also completed the ramp-up of the first two phases of production line V. The company has also started construction of production line VI in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. The first phase of a 130MWp expansion is expected to start production in the fourth quarter of 2008. Q-Cells AG will also construct its seventh line at its Malaysia-based facility.
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The company will also start construction of a dedicated factory for polycrystalline solar cells, which should reach a production capacity of more than 300MWp over several phases of expansion. Construction will start in the second quarter of 2008 and the ramp-up phase for the first step (160MWp) is expected to start in the first quarter of 2009.
