German-based CdTe thin-film solar manufacturer Calyxo has increased its panel out put to 111 W per module. Its efficiency has increased from 13% to 15.4%. Together with its parent company TS Group, Calyxo brought the new generation of modules to market maturity in just six months of development. The performance of the new modules has been independently confirmed by Coburg Univercity of Applied Sciences and Arts.
“This further increase brings us for the first time within range of the efficiency of polycrystalline modules, which have so far been ahead in terms of performance,” emphasized Dr. Stephan Koehne, CEO of the TS Group. Compared to thin-film solar modules, polycrystalline modules have the disadvantage that they are less robust and less performant in low light conditions. Koehne continued: “Our next goal is to close the gap to monocrystalline cells in the near future. These are currently even more efficient, but much more expensive.”
With the help of patented process improvements and further investments, Calyxo intends to achieve an efficiency of 18% in the near future to become the market leader.
“The efficiency improvement of crystalline solar modules is somewhat leveling out in the near future,” adds Dr.-Ing. Michael Bauer, Managing Director of TS Solar Calyxo GmbH. “The potential of thin-film solar cells, on the other hand, is enormously high. In research, it is assumed that the relatively new thin-film technology can achieve efficiencies of up to 30% percent.”
Calyxo is the No. 2 CdTe thin-film manufacturer in the world, behind First Solar. First Solar’s comparatively sized Series 4 module has been tested to produce upwards of 122 W with a 17% efficiency. First Solar’s larger Series 6 module has been rated at 420 to 445 W and 17%+ efficiency.
News item from Calyxo
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