Q CELLS turbo-boosts its technological leadership efforts with additional €15.5 million investment in next-gen technology R&D that will usher in the introduction of an exciting new n-type solar module in 2021 boosting next level efficiencies.
Q CELLS has begun investing a further €15.5 million into its global research and development HQ in Thalheim, near Bitterfeld-Wolfen in Germany, as part of the company’s ongoing R&D roadmap to drive next generation solar module technology development.
The additional €15.5 million come on top of last year’s pledge to invest €20 million into machinery and equipment for next generation PV technology development. Together with around €35 million of yearly R&D expenditure these will boost total investments into the HQ for technology innovation & quality to over €140 million by 2023.
This latest tranche of investment has been funneled into procuring specialist equipment that will support R&D efforts in n-type cell and module development. Q CELLS’ team of experienced scientists has identified this technology as the most effective next-gen driver of LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) reduction within PV over the next few years.
Development of the n-type technology – which will be called Q.ANTUM NEO – is already well advanced. Q.ANTUM NEO is the next step in Q CELLS’ unique Q.ANTUM Technology roadmap, utilizing n-type cells with passivating contacts to further increase the efficiency and power of the solar modules. Q CELLS expects to introduce Q.TRON, a new solar module manufactured using this cell technology within 2021, boosting efficiencies well above the levels of current p-type modules on the market. In parallel, Q CELLS is also working on tandem solar cell research & development based on perovskite technology in its technology and R&D HQ in Germany.
