JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China), a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar power products, on June 9th, 2010 announced at the Intersolar Europe trade show in Munich (Germany), that it has partnered with the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN; Petten) to introduce the metal wrap through (MWT) solar cell and module technology into production. JA Solar also introduced a new family of high performance solar cells, dubbed "SECIUM".

According to the press release, JA Solar and ECN will work together to produce cost-effective, high-efficiency solar modules that have the promise to reduce the cost of electricity generated through solar energy. The MWT technology is said to minimize shading loss at the front cell surface, resulting in an increased active front surface area of the solar cell. Modules can be assembled in a fully automated process with Eurotron (Bleskensgraaf, The Netherlands) equipment, JA Solar reports. This technology allows handling of thin solar cells at high throughput and yield.

MWT technology to increase module conversion efficiency, lower cost of solar power

ECN has recently successfully manufactured high-efficiency MWT solar modules, achieving a record efficiency in 2009 of 17.0 % (aperture area) for PV modules with multi-crystalline silicon cells. Yong Liu, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of JA Solar, explained: "The MWT technology can effectively increase photovoltaic module conversion efficiency with the benefit of higher power output and it allows further reduction of material costs, lowering the cost of solar electricity." Bram Verschoor, Commercial Director of Eurotron, said he was pleased about JA Solar's decision to produce MWT cells: "This opens up an enormous market potential for our MWT module manufacturing equipment. We are very pleased with ECN's support to bring our technology to the market", he added.

18.9 % conversion efficiency solar cells with new processes introduced at Intersolar Europe

JA Solar also introduced its new high efficiency SECIUM solar cells at the Intersolar Europe. They are said to enable substantially better spectral response at short wavelengths in comparison to standard solar cells. Additional highlights include an increased open circuit voltage, increased short circuit current and a reduction in recombination losses. The SECIUM cells are also said to demonstrate a higher fill factor and to have higher power output than those of conventional solar cells. According to the press release, the commercial volume production of these cells is anticipated for the second half of 2010. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE; Freiburg) in Germany independently certified a 18.9 % conversion efficiency for the SECIUM cells. Dr. Peng Fang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JA Solar, said: "The launch of our SECIUM solar cells illustrates the company's commitment to develop cutting-edge process technology for next-generation, high efficiency solar cells."

2010-06-16 | Courtesy: JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH