4 May 2012

Calyxo reaches record CdTe PV cell efficiency of 16.2%

Calyxo GmbH of Bitterfeld/Wolfen-Thalheim, Germany (founded by Q-Cells SE in 2005) says that its cadmium telluride (CdTe)-based thin-film photovoltaic cell has reached record energy conversion efficiency of 16.2%, as confirmed officially by the testing body SGS Germany.

Calyxo says that this confirms the performance potential of photovoltaic devices based on CdTe technology made by its proprietary low-cost atmospheric deposition technology. “This result shows the efficiency potential of Calyxo’s hot and fast deposition technology,” says chief technology officer Michael Bauer. “Based on this achievement, we are confident of reaching 17-18% cell efficiency and 14-15% top module efficiency later this year,” he adds. Previously, in February, the firm announced that it had reached a module efficiency of 13.4%.

Calyxo currently operates a 25MWp module production line with more than 150 staff at a manufacturing plant that has been in commercial production in Bitterfeld/Wolfen-Thalheim (known as Solar Valley in Saxony-Anhalt) since 2009.

After splitting from Q-Cells in February 2011, Calyxo was taken over by original technology provider Solar Fields LLC of Toledo, OH, USA, which has invested in a second production line with an annual capacity of about 60MWp (starting production this year). Calyxo adds that research and the rapid further development of its CdTe technology is being conducted in collaboration with US parent firm Calyxo USA Inc of Perrysburg, OH, USA.

Tags: Calyxo CdTe CdTe PV cell

Visit: www.calyxo.com