Q-Cells to use non-blended metallurgical silicon at new Malaysian fab

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Q-Cells
CEO Anton Milner said during a conference call with financial analysts
that the major solar-grade silicon supply deal signed with Becancour
Silicon, a division of Timminco, using purified metallurgical silicon
would be almost exclusively used at its new 300MW solar cell facility,
Line VII in Malaysia. The Malaysian facility is expected to start
production early in 2009.

The Malaysian facility would have an integrated ingot and wafering operation attached to the solar cell facility, specifically designed with proprietary processes that the company has developed to fully exploit metallurgical silicon for solar cell production.

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

Milner also said that its production facility in Thalheim, Germany, which had a 20MW capacity for using the metallurgical silicon, would be expanded to 80MW in 2008.

The Q-Cells CEO also alluded to the significant cost savings available by using metallurgical silicon instead of high-purity polysilicon. Milner said that “there is no comparison” and that the company would not be blending metallurgical silicon with polysilicon, further reducing material costs.

Commenting on polysilicon supply constraints, Milner noted that he believed fears about severe overcapacity in the coming years were dubious and that easing of supply conditions by 2010 were possible.

However, Milner said that Q-Cells had recently turned down a number of take or pay polysilicon deals it had been offered due to the expected fall in prices expected in the next few years. He also noted that the company was now able to be very flexible with silicon supply.

The new silicon supply deal with Becancour Silicon has allowed Q-Cells to increase its production targets for 2008. Q-Cells is now expecting crystalline solar production volumes of 570MW, compared to its previous projection of 540MW. Including expansion of its thin film production, total volumes are being set between 595 and 620MW in 2008.

Read Next

Premium
October 10, 2025
Gaëtan Masson of IEA PVPS warns of overcapacity, collapsing prices and slipping module quality in the new Trends in PV Applications report.
October 10, 2025
The European solar module market has reached a “state of equilibrium” in recent weeks, with stable prices and regular demand.
October 10, 2025
US solar recycling firm OnePlanet has achieved the R2v3 certification from electronics sustainability non-profit SERI, which represents the “highest standards of traceability”.
October 10, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to develop 15GW renewable energy projects in Gujarat.
October 10, 2025
Australia's renewable energy sector recorded its slowest month of the year for additions in September, with 5.8GW of new projects added to development pipelines, according to data from Rystad Energy.
October 9, 2025
The Australian government has announced the results of the fourth Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender, with 6.6GW of renewables awarded long-term contracts.

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