EANS-News: centrotherm photovoltaics' centaurus technology for high efficiency
solar cells successfully transferred into industrial-scale production
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Company Information
Subtitle: More than 100.000 centaurus high efficiency solar cells already
processed
Cell efficiencies exceed 19.5 % in industrial production
centaurus takes center stage at this years SNEC PV
Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - May 15, 2012 - At this year's 6th International Solar
Industry and Photovoltaic Exhibition & Conference in Shanghai (SNEC),
centrotherm photovoltaics AG focuses on the successful ramp-up of centaurus high
efficiency cell production at customers in China and Europe. As a highlight,
centrotherm offers live measurements of centaurus cells to the fair audience and
thus demonstrates constant cell efficiency in mass production.
"Almost on a weekly basis, lab results of efficiency world records are
reported. Yet, the crucial figures are those in mass production," commented Dr.
Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "By now, around 100.000 cells
have been processed with centaurus technology - the majority at our Chinese
pilot customer, who has already reached efficiencies of more than 19.5% in
industrial-scale production on a daily average, and even up to 19.8% at its
peak. These figures once more substantiate our technology leadership."
centaurus technology combines the one-step selective emitter technology with a
local Al-BSF and dielectric passivated rear side. Compared to present standard
industrial solar cells with extensive screen printed Al-BSF, centaurus cells
show considerably reduced rear surface recombination velocity with increased
Voc of more than 10 mV and an improvement of internal light reflection for long
wavelengths leading to a gain in Jsc of about 1.5 mA/cm². Both effects are
claimed to lead to an overall efficiency improvement of about one percentage
point, allowing average production efficiencies of more than 19.5 %. Along with
fine line printing, reducing paste consumption of the front side silver paste
by more than 20 %, we already achieved conversion efficiencies reaching the 20
% level on 156x156mm² monocrystalline (cz) wafers.
Currently, more than 50MW of centaurus technology are in ramp-up into mass
production. Further existing customers have already expressed great interest in
implementing this technology. Its advantage is the availability for mass
production at the same cost level as the standard process. Compared to other
passivated rear side concepts, it is based on well proven processes and
materials, allowing a fast and easy implementation into running production
lines.
"We are pursuing the goal that our customers strengthen their position as
premium cost leaders. Thanks to our regular upgrade packages they have the
ability to apply state-of-the-art technology in the long run", commented Dr.
Peter Fath.
Booth information centrotherm photovoltaics:
SNEC PV Power Expo 2012: New International Expo Center, Hall E3, Booth 510
About centrotherm photovoltaics AG
centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which is based at Blaubeuren, Germany, is a
globally leading technology and equipment provider for the photovoltaics
sector. The company equips well-known solar companies and new sector entrants
with turnkey production lines and single equipment to manufacture silicon,
crystalline solar cells and thin film modules. As a consequence, the Group
possesses a broad and well-founded technological basis, as well as key
equipment at practically all steps of the photovoltaics value chain.
centrotherm photovoltaics guarantees its customers important performance
parameters such as production capacity, efficiencies, and completion deadlines.
The Group employed around 1,900 staff as of the December 31, 2011 reporting
date, and operates globally in Europe, Asia and the USA. centrotherm
photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2011 financial year of around EUR 700
million. The company is listed in the TecDAX index on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange.
Contact:
Saskia Feil
Senior Manager Investor & Public Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8890
E-mail: saskia.feil@centrotherm.de
Dr. Torsten Knödler
Manager Public Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8898
E-mail: torsten.knoedler@centrotherm.de
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Torsten Knödler
Manager Public Relations
Tel.: 07344 - 918-8898
E-Mail: torsten.knoedler@centrotherm.de
end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Johannes-Schmid-Str. 8
D-89143 Blaubeuren
phone: +49 (0) 7344 91880
mail: info@centrotherm.de
WWW: http://www.centrotherm.de
sector: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
indexes: TecDAX
stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart,
regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English