centrotherm photovoltaics AG has identified significant demand for high-performance cells and modules emanating from solar cell manufacturers. “Manufacturers who achieve high efficiency levels have made good use of their production facilities’ capacities”, explained Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics. “Mono- crystalline solar cells with over 18% efficiency and multi-crystalline solar cells with over 16.5% efficiency are selling well on the end customer market. Solar cells with significantly poorer values only sell reasonably well and achieve much lower prices.” Of the approximately 1,000 solar cell production lines worldwide, around 800 could be upgraded.
There is market potential of over EUR 1 billion until the end of next year for the two upgrade technologies – selective emitter and centaurus rear side. centrotherm photovoltaics is aiming to take advantage of this and is currently improving the performance of existing lines in China, Taiwan and India through the deployment of selective emitter technology. Total investment amounts to a double-digit million euro figure. The first plants will produce solar cells with the centaurus rear side technology by the end of 2011. centrotherm photovoltaics anticipates that revenue from the upgrade business will reach a three-digit million euro figure by the end of next year.
