News Article
JV For New Chemicals
BASF and centrotherm photovoltaics expand activities for novel chemical solutions addressing photovoltaic industry’s needs
BASF SE, centrotherm photovoltaics AG and its subsidiary GP Solar GmbH announced today that they have entered into an extended joint development agreement for chemicals required in the manufacturing process of crystalline solar cells. Under this program, BASF and centrotherm photovoltaics will strengthen their continuous development of tailor-made solutions to meet the requirements in producing more efficient solar cells. The collaboration started with its first phase in 2008. The first products ready for the market are expected within 2009.
“During the existing cooperation between centrotherm photovoltaics and BASF it became clear that both companies can largely benefit from each other. The process know-how of centrotherm photovoltaics combined with the chemical expertise of BASF is ideal to develop new and improved solutions for the photovoltaic industry” said Olaf Rogge, Manager Technology and Strategy, Electronic Materials, BASF SE.
The first products derived from this partnership will improve texturing of solar cells in order to enhance their efficiency. At the same time customers will benefit from lower cost of ownership. With the new process texturing of the solar cell will take place at about room temperature, reducing the damage at grain boundaries and thus the rate of breakage. In addition, targeted surface structuring increases the overall electrical efficiency of the cell.
The project work is jointly carried out at the centrotherm-subsidiary's research center in Konstanz, Germany and at BASF's headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Beyond this project, both BASF and centrotherm photovoltaics are continuously evaluating further possibilities for collaboration to add value to the growing photovoltaic industry. “We strongly believe that this joint development program is an ideal starting point to a long-term collaboration, allowing both companies to extend their leading positions within the photovoltaic industry”, says Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics.
“During the existing cooperation between centrotherm photovoltaics and BASF it became clear that both companies can largely benefit from each other. The process know-how of centrotherm photovoltaics combined with the chemical expertise of BASF is ideal to develop new and improved solutions for the photovoltaic industry” said Olaf Rogge, Manager Technology and Strategy, Electronic Materials, BASF SE.
The first products derived from this partnership will improve texturing of solar cells in order to enhance their efficiency. At the same time customers will benefit from lower cost of ownership. With the new process texturing of the solar cell will take place at about room temperature, reducing the damage at grain boundaries and thus the rate of breakage. In addition, targeted surface structuring increases the overall electrical efficiency of the cell.
The project work is jointly carried out at the centrotherm-subsidiary's research center in Konstanz, Germany and at BASF's headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Beyond this project, both BASF and centrotherm photovoltaics are continuously evaluating further possibilities for collaboration to add value to the growing photovoltaic industry. “We strongly believe that this joint development program is an ideal starting point to a long-term collaboration, allowing both companies to extend their leading positions within the photovoltaic industry”, says Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics.
