news digest ♦ Solar
Abound Solar to concentrate on 85 W CdTe modules
The firm is ceasing production of its first-generation CdTe solar modules and 180 jobs will be temporarily slashed. This is in order to accelerate the changes needed for the production launch of its next generation high-efficiency module
Abound Solar’s new high efficiency “AB2” 85 W module represents a 12.5 percent solar efficiency as verified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). Several- hundred AB2 modules were produced in early January 2012 on commercial production equipment.
The suspension of first generation module production will result in the temporary reduction of approximately 180 permanent jobs from its Colorado facilities. Once manufacturing equipment has been modified and performance tested, Abound Solar expects to resume mass production with a 12.5-13 percent efficiency module by the end of 2012.
“While this is a difficult move with regards to temporarily reducing our workforce, we know that accelerating the introduction of our next generation module will bring significant benefits to our customers and allow us to create even more jobs in the future,” said Craig Witsoe, president and CEO of Abound Solar.
“Current market conditions are challenging for all U.S. solar manufacturers, but the long-term winners will be manufacturers of the lowest cost per watt, most reliable systems. By focusing our resources to accelerate scale-up of our next generation high efficiency technology, we will sustainably lower total system costs for our customers, increase our own profitability and grow U.S. jobs and energy security.”
Calyxo makes headway on cost competitive solar power
The CdTe thin-film producer has manufactured a module with an efficiency of 13.4 percent and has secured financing for the year 2012
Calyxo GmbH confirms, with its innovative thin- 110
www.compoundsemiconductor.net March 2012
film module, the huge performance potential of photovoltaic modules based on cadmium telluride technology.
The Calyxo module has an output of 88.7 W at an efficiency of 13.4 % measured on aperture area. Based on these results, owner Solar Fields, LLC, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A. has decided to fund the company for the some years.
On the left is Michael Bauer, CTO of Calyxo and on the right is Calyxo CEO, Florian Holzapfel
Calyxo GmbH, founded in 2005, produces thin- film solar modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology. After the company split from Q-Cells in February of 2011, the former technology provider Solar Fields took over Calyxo and invested in a second production line with a capacity of approximately 120 MWp, which will commence production in 2012.
Calyxo currently manufactures a module volume representing an annual power generation capacity of 25 MWp at their production facilities Bitterfeld/ Wolfen-Thalheim, in the so-called “Solar Valley” in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. All Calyxo modules are thus “Made and Developed in Germany”.
Research and rapid further development of the Calyxo CdTe modules is constantly being driven ahead, in collaboration with the American parent company Calyxo USA Inc. Thin-film solar cells are economic to manufacture and can convert solar energy to electricity under the most unfavourable weather conditions. The modules still operate efficiently on roofs that are not directly aligned to the south.
The production process used for Calyxo CdTe thin- film modules also helps to reduce environmental
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