EANS-News: Sunways technology at the Photovoltaic Technology Show
Konstanz (euro adhoc) -
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Marketing/Research & Development
Konstanz/Germany, 29 April 2010 - The "Photovoltaic Technology Show Europe" takes place between 27 and 29 April in Stuttgart. The trade fair for production technology in the photovoltaics industry is accompanied by symposia in which technological trends for individual components of photovoltaic systems and new production technologies for silicon solar cells are discussed, among other topics. In this arena, experts from Sunways AG (FWB: SWW; ISIN DE0007332207) reported on the technology and benefits of Sunways inverters and the results of an international workshop on metallising of crystalline silicon solar cells, which recently took place in Konstanz with support from Sunways AG.
Christian Buchholz, responsible product manager for inverters and modules at Sunways, talked about the different device classes (AT, NT, PT) of Sunways solar inverters. One of their key features is the HERIC® technology developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and Sunways. In January 2010 the NT 4200 was awarded an "A +" rating by "Photon" magazine. The NT 4200, which has an input voltage range up to 900 V and therefore offers high flexibility for system planning, achieved the best efficiency (average 96.7%) in the 5 kW class among the inverters tested.
For the Sunways NT 5000 excellent test data were published in March 2010 by Prof. Dr. H. Häberlin, director of the photovoltaics laboratory at Bern University of Applied Sciences in Burgdorf, Switzerland. The European efficiency determined in the test was 0.1% higher than the value specified by Sunways. The NT 5000 also demonstrated perfect MPP (maximum power point) tracking of nearly 100%, even during simulated power fluctuations. An MPP control unit controls the electrical power output, so that a PV system always operates with the optimum yield.
Dr. Gunnar Schubert, head of solar cell development at Sunways, reported on the results of an international workshop for performance increase of crystalline silicon solar cells, which took place on 14/15 April in Konstanz. Around 190 delegates from around the world, including scientists from research institutes, universities and industrial development departments, discussed the issue of metallising, i.e. the application of metal contacts for conducting the electrical energy, which is an important step in the production of solar cells.
Metallising is still one of the key processes in the production of high-performance solar cells, significantly affecting cell efficiency. The well-established screen printing process is used for around 85% of solar cells produced worldwide. At the same time new approaches for metallising are being pursued. Current development work aims to increase the efficiency further and to reduce the production costs of solar cells. Improvements in the materials and processes used have led to significant progress over recent years. Efforts focused on improvements on the front and rear of solar cells, with particular emphasis on the materials used for metallising (silver, nickel, aluminium) and process variables such as temperature.
Roland Burkhardt, Chief Technology Officer of Sunways AG, said in Stuttgart: "I am delighted with the outstanding test results for Sunways inverters. Their performance is the result of continuous further development of our components with the aim of increasing the electricity yield and the benefits of a PV system. This also applies to our solar cells, for which we were recently able to report excellent news from our developers, who succeeded in producing prototype monocrystalline cells with an efficiency of 19.1 percent."
This press release as well as pictures is also available on http://www.sunways.eu/en/company/press/
About Sunways Sunways AG, Konstanz/Germany, stands for consistent use of solar energy to secure long-term energy supply of man in an efficient and sustainable manner. Sunways offers technological competence, performance and highest quality - from single components to complete solar systems.Since its foundation in 1993, Sunways AG evolved into a technology leader in the photovoltaics industry serving international markets. With silicon-based solar cells, inverters, solar modules and solar systems, the company offers all components required for high-yield photovoltaic power generation. With photovoltaic solutions tailored to customers´ needs (transparent and coloured solar cells, building- integrated photovoltaic installations), Sunways turns exceptional ideas into reality.Sunways Production GmbH in Arnstadt/Germany is a subsidiary of Sunways AG; in addition, the group has own branch offices in Barcelone/Spain and Bologna/Italy. In 2008, Sunways AG with about 320 employees realised sales of about EUR 180 million.The shares of Sunways AG are listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (SWW, ISIN DE0007332207). For further information, please visit www.sunways.de.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Harald F. Schaefer
Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 (0)7531 996 77-415
E-Mail: communications@sunways.de
Branche: Alternative energy
ISIN: DE0007332207
WKN: 733220
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