Centrotherm photovoltaics crystalline silicon cell efficiency exceeds 20% CIGS module efficiency approaches 11%

Centrothermphotovoltaics recently announced that it has produced monocrystalline silicon solar cells with an efficiency of up to 20% using its own developed process, a result that has been confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (FraunhoferISE). In addition, centrothermphotovoltaics is also helping Taiwan CIGS company Sunshine to move towards an 11% module efficiency and using recyclable selenium compounds instead of highly toxic hydrogen selenide (H2Se) in the production process.

"We are working hard to mass produce cells with 20% efficiency," said Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of Centrotherm. "We have already broken the 20% efficiency threshold in the laboratory and have obtained confirmation from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. We will do our best to achieve this impressive efficiency in large-scale production."

Centrotherm Photovoltaics said that the company's above achievements used 156mmx156mm single-crystal silicon wafers.

Centrotherm Photovoltaics also said that the company has successfully developed a new generation of CIGS thin-film module manufacturing system, which is said to have achieved or even exceeded the design specifications in terms of uniformity and uptime. Centrotherm Photovoltaics is expected to integrate the system into a single device for sale in the future.

FHR Anlagenbau, a wholly owned subsidiary of centrothermphotovoltaics, will showcase its physical vapor deposition and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition roll-to-roll production equipment designed for CIGS and amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells at the exhibition.

FHR said some of its customers have already entered the mass production stage from trial production.

At the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Exhibition in Hamburg next week, centrotherm's other subsidiary SiTec in the field of crystalline silicon production will be presenting a medium voltage ignition system (MVI) developed for chemical vapor deposition equipment.

This ignition system is said to effectively shorten production time, increase productivity and reduce costs.

centrothermSiTec said it has received an order for a polysilicon ingot furnace from a Taiwanese company with an annual production capacity of approximately 140MW, and delivery is expected to take place between October this year and the first quarter of next year.