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HEERLEN, The Netherlands and AACHEN, Germany, September 4 /PRNewswire/ --
Solland Solar, Netherlands' largest producer of solar cells, will enable the
solar energy sector to take a major step forwards with its new Sunweb cell.
By concentrating the generated energy to the back of the cell, Sunweb can
offer a 2 percent higher output per cell. Processed and connected in a solar
module, the output even increases to 9 percent. This is a substantial
improvement for the sector.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080904/319383 )
"Metal Wrap Through"
Sunweb is the outcome of years of intensive research and testing by the
R&D division of Solland Solar in collaboration with ECN (Energy research
Centre of the Netherlands).
Sunweb transfers the collected energy at the front of the cell via the
especially developed MWT (Metal Wrap Through) method through the cell to the
back of the cell.
By removing the "bus bars" from the front of the cell, the Sunweb cell
has a larger surface area available for collecting (sun)light and converting
it to electricity. Whereas the output of a solar module with a traditional
cell is around 13.5 percent, the Sunweb cell increases this efficiency to
nearly 15 percent. A substantial improvement in output.
Grid Parity
For many areas in the world, Sunweb's combination of increased efficiency
and lower cost price means one further step towards grid parity. This is the
point where the price of solar electricity is the same or lower for consumers
as/than traditional electricity from oil, coal and gas. Organisations like
the IEA (International Energy Agency) estimate that grid parity will become
feasible in many parts of Europe (including the Netherlands) within the next
5 to 10 years. This will make solar energy an economic alternative for fossil
fuels a lot sooner than many people realise.
'Backsheet Foil'
Solland is currently working with third parties on the development of a
special back-sheet foil to connect the Sunweb cells at the back. This will
enable further automation of the production process, saving time and cost in
the manufacturing of solar modules.
Module manufacturers
The PV sector is already showing a strong interest in the Sunweb cell.
Major solar module producers are currently investigating how they can adapt
their production process to allow for the short term incorporation of the
Sunweb cell in their solar modules.
About Solland Solar
Solland Solar (http://www.sollandsolar.com) is a Dutch-German
manufacturer of solar cells (photovoltaic cells). At the start of production
in late 2005, Solland Solar's capacity was 20 MWp/a. Capacity has since been
increased to 170 MWp/a. Thanks to the majority interest acquired by the Dutch
Multi-utility company DELTA in February 2007, Solland Solar can currently
expand its capacity further to a level of 320 MWp/a. The company ultimately
strives to achieve a production capacity of 500 MWp/a in 2010 (2007: 60
MWp/a), with the current workforce of 370 expanding considerably.
SOURCE Solland Solar
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