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Sunways research team seeks to reduce the costs of solar cells
Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP.
The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement.
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Sunways research team seeks to reduce the costs of solar cells
The new project will be supported by public funds
Constance, 19 July 2002 – Sunways AG, the technological leader in the production
of high-quality silicon solar cells, has qualified for another research project.
The target is to reduce the costs of the production of solar cells and to open
up new markets through improved aesthetics. The listed company (ISIN
DE0007332207) will receive research funds from the Federal Ministry for Economy
and Technology (BMWI) for the project “PROKON”.
Sunways AG will contribute its core competence in the production of the only
transparent solar cell worldwide on the basis on crystalline silicon to the
PROKON research project (provisional title for “Entwicklung von PROduktions-
techniken zur industriellen Herstellung und Verschaltung innovativer
kostengünstiger RückKONtaktsolarzellen aus kristallinem Silizium” – development
of production techniques for the industrial manufacture and connection of
innovative, low-cost reverse-contact solar cells): the technology of the
mechanical structuring process of silicon wafers. In this patented process, the
raw material, the so-called silicon wafer, is given a micro-fine hole pattern.
With the transparent Sunways POWER Cell, developed by the Constance-based
company to production stage, a combination of aesthetic design and ecological
benefit has been created. The fine hole pattern makes the solar cell
transparent. Thus daylight can reach the interior of buildings on the facades or
roofs of which solar systems have been installed.
Now Sunways benefited from the know-how of this special production process and
was awarded the BMWI project. The contact strips on the front of existing solar
cells that pass on electricity are no longer required for reverse-contact solar
cells. In the reverse-contact solar cell electricity is conducted via the
surface through several thousand holes in the silicon wafer to the reverse side.
Thus an increased efficiency can be achieved, while the size of the solar cell
remains unchanged. The shaded surface formerly required for the contact remains
blank and produces solar energy. The use of the new reverse-contact solar cell
involves a cost reduction compared to traditional solar cells for various
reasons: Lower-cost silicon material may be used and the processing into
solar modules is facilitated. In addition, thinner silicon wafers can be used. A
positive side effect are the improved aesthetics on the front, creating a
strip-free homogenous surface, so that the reverse-contact solar cell may be
integrated into façades without problems.
Sunways board member, Roland Burkhardt: “The lower costs of the use of the new
solar cells will further increase the acceptance of photovoltaics integrated
into buildings. With the participation in the PROKON research project we have
ensured that Sunways will benefit from market growth.”
The Constance-based solar cell manufacturer with its own R&D department also
makes significant contributions to other research projects. Together with the
Dutch research institute ECN in Petten and with other partners, the enterprise
is developing a low-cost raw material for solar cells. The goal of this EU-
promoted “RGSells” project are new silicon wafers, which are to lead to a 70%
cost reduction in the production of solar cells. In this context, the know-how
of Sunways is required for the transfer of the process from the laboratory to
the production stage. The pilot unit is scheduled to be completed in 2005.
end of message, (c)DGAP 19.07.2002
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WKN: 733 220; ISIN: DE0007332207; Index:
Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und
Stuttgart
190905 Jul 02
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