Q-Cells AG (QCE.DE) and Singulus Technologies AG have agreed to jointly develop a system for coating of solar cells with anti-reflection material. The goal of the exclusive cooperation is to develop a technology that is superior to previous systems with respect to coating quality and cost effectiveness.
The process uses of the well-known vacuum coating technique used in DVD production and will increase energy output of the finished cells, according to a release by the two companies.
However, Q-Cells said the primary benefit is expected to be lower processing costs compared to the current state of the technology.
Q-Cells said it will be the first company to employ the new system as a "launching customer" in existing and new production lines.
"This project represents an important milestone in our close cooperation with system manufacturers," according to Dr Florian Holzapfel, Director of Technology/CTO at Q-Cells AG. "In order to come closer to the goals of the PV industry in making solar power competitive, a significant reduction in production costs is indispensable."
Stefan A. Baustert, CEO of Singulus Technologies AG adds, "With the continuous increase in cycle frequency and production output, Singulus systems have enabled the cost-effective mass production of CDs and DVDs. Now, we want to apply our experience in automation and coating to solar cell production."
About Q-Cells AG
Founded in 1999, Q-Cells AG is today the largest manufacturer of solar cells worldwide with some 1,800 employees. In 2007 the company produced mono- and polycrystalline solar cells with a total performance of 389.2 megawatt peak and delivered them worldwide to manufacturers of solar modules. More than 200 scientists and engineers at Q-Cells are working on advancing the technology so as to achieve the objective of the company – reducing photovoltaic costs quickly and on a sustained basis and making them competitive.
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