Hanwha Q CELLS Achieves Increased Efficiency Using 1366's Direct Wafer Technology
Hanwha Q CELLS and 1366 Technologies have announced they have jointly achieved cell efficiency gains of 1.4 percent using 1366's Direct Wafer products in only 7 months' time. Both companies have formed a strategic partnership to collaborate on the development of 1366's proprietary Direct Wafer Technology in March 2015. Starting from efficiencies of 17.7 percent in March, both companies have reached a maximum efficiency of 19.1 percent using 1366's wafers in October 2015, as was independently confirmed by the Fraunhofer ISE institute. This significant efficiency gain of 1.4 percent in only 7 months strongly shows the potential that lies in combining the unique technologies from both companies. Based on 1366 Technologies´ kerfless, drop-in 156mm multi-crystalline wafers, Hanwha Q CELLS has been applying its proprietary Q.ANTUM cell process on the pilot line in Technology & Innovation Headquarters in Germany.
Daniel Jeong, Global R&D Head at Hanwha Q CELLS said: "These latest results demonstrate the potential in combining 1366´s Direct Wafer Technology with our unique Q.ANTUM technology. Together they can push the efficiency limits of multi-crystalline solar cell technology while at the same time reducing the cost significantly. We´ll continue on our track to jointly mature 1366´s Direct Wafer Technology."
"The disruptive nature of the Direct Wafer process is not only evident in the cost and material savings it provides, but in its ability to break the technology limitations of conventional wafer manufacturing. The rapid and significant efficiency gains we've achieved together with Hanwha Q CELLS will be further increased by new wafer features made possible with our process," said Frank van Mierlo, CEO, 1366 Technologies.
