SOITEC : FOUR-JUNCTION SOLAR CELL DEVELOPED USING SOITEC'S EXPERTISE IN SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS SETS NEW EFFICIENCY RECORD OF 38.9% FOR CPV MODULE
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
FOUR-JUNCTION SOLAR CELL DEVELOPED
USING SOITEC'S EXPERTISE IN SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SETS NEW EFFICIENCY RECORD OF 38.9% FOR CPV MODULE
Bernin (Grenoble), France, June 24th, 2015 - Soitec (Euronext Paris), a world
leader in generating and manufacturing revolutionary semiconductor materials,
today announced a new step in its SmartCell(TM) project, which leverages
Soitec's leadership in the field of semiconductor materials to develop a four-
junction solar cell. After setting an efficiency world record in December 2014,
the four-junction SmartCell has now been successfully integrated in a
concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) module, enabling a conversion of 38.9 percent of
the solar energy into electrical power. This represents a significant increase
compared to the existing world record for CPV modules.
Paul Boudre, CEO of Soitec, explained, "While we announced earlier this year
Soitec's refocus on its core semiconductor materials business, we also decided
to keep all assets related to our SmartCell project in the company's new
strategic scope. Indeed, it opens many business opportunities in different kinds
of industries for Soitec. In the present case, the SmartCell paves the way for
further cost reductions in solar energy, as it can be integrated in a record-
efficiency CPV module suitable for mass production. This project demonstrates
Soitec's leadership in the field of innovative semiconductor materials and
technologies dedicated to high-performance applications as well as our ability
to achieve major breakthroughs. I am very proud of the tremendous results
achieved by our team."
CPV modules use Fresnel lenses to concentrate sunlight onto small, multi-
junction solar cells.
For the new world record in module efficiency, SmartCells were integrated in a
CPV module employing the same platform as existing CPV modules using traditional
three-junction cells. The SmartCells proved to have a superior conversion yield
due to their four junctions.
The record module efficiency has been measured indoors and outdoors. More than
10,000 outdoor data sets have been recorded. Fraunhofer ISE performed a detailed
analysis and revealed a module efficiency of 38.9 percent ±0.9 percent for a
1,000 W/m² direct normal irradiation and a 25° C cell temperature. The record
module has an aperture area of 812 cm(2) and uses 36 lenses, secondary optical
elements and SmartCells.
As a stand-alone cell prior to being assembled in a CPV module, the SmartCell
previously set a world record efficiency of 46.0 percent, as published on
December 1, 2014 (read press release). Developed by Soitec in cooperation with
Fraunhofer ISE and CEA-Leti, it contains world class expertise from solar cell
laboratories and uses the technologies and know-how inherent in Soitec's Smart
Cut(TM) and bonding techniques. These Soitec technologies enable optimal
semiconductor combinations.
SmartCell's development has been supported by the German Federal Ministry for
Economic Affairs and Energy and the Federal Ministry for Environment (through
the Magnus project) and by the "Investissements d'Avenir" ("Invest for the
Future") French government's investment program (through the Guepard project
managed by the French environment and energy management agency - ADEME).
In addition to current applications devoted to the solar industry, the expertise
in compound semiconductors developed by Soitec through this project opens new
opportunities in other markets.
About Soitec:
Soitec (Euronext, Paris) is a world leader in designing and manufacturing high-
performance semiconductor materials. The company uses its unique technologies
and semiconductor expertise to serve the electronics and energy markets. With
3,600 patents worldwide, Soitec's strategy is based on disruptive innovation to
answer its customers' needs for high performance, energy efficiency and cost
competitiveness. Soitec has manufacturing facilities, R&D centers and offices in
Europe, the U.S. and Asia. For more information, please visit www.soitec.com and
follow us on Twitter: (at)Soitec_EN and (at)Soitec_FR.
Media Contacts: Investor Relations:
Trade Press : Olivier Brice
Camille Dufour +33 (0)4 76 92 93 80
+33 (0)6 79 49 51 43 olivier.brice(at)soitec.com
camille.dufour(at)soitec.com
Steve Babureck
Business Press: +1 858 519 6230
Marylen Schmidt +33 (0)6 16 38 56 27
+33 (0)6 21 13 66 72 steve.babureck(at)soitec.com
marylen.schmidt(at)soitec.com
Soitec press release in PDF:
http://hugin.info/143589/R/1930975/694174.pdf
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: SOITEC via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1930975]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 24.06.2015 - 19:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 402806
Anzahl Zeichen: 5795
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