Q-Cells
Encyclopedia
Q-Cells is a manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) cells, established in 1999. Its core business
is the development, production and marketing of (mono- and multi-) crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.
Since commencing production in 2001, Q-Cells now employs about 1500 people at its site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen
, Saxony-Anhalt
, Germany
. In its newest solar cell factory in Selangor
, Malaysia, further 1000 people are employed. Q-Cells produced 537 MW of PV cells in 2009. In 2010, the output was increased to 939 MW. Thereof 482 MW were produced in Germany. So nearly half of the production took place in Malaysia.
Q-Cells also sells solar modules under its own brand. The module portfolio encompasses crystalline silicon and CIGS
thin-film modules. Its multicrystalline module products are called Q.BASE and Q.PRO. Q.PEAK is the name of the monocrystalline module series which also comprises an all-black version.
With its CIGS modules, Q-Cells set a world record for thin-film PV in mass production. Total area efficiency of the Q.SMART modules reached 13.4% in March 2011.
In 2011, Q-Cells reached a conversion efficiency of 19.5% for 6-inch multicrystalline solar cells which was independently confirmed by the Fraunhofer Society
. This newly developed cell concept named Q.ANTUM features an advanced structure for the back side. Based on these cells, Q-Cells built a record-setting solar module with efficiency rating of 18.1% related to the aperture area.
The latest R&D achievement is a monocrystalline cell based on the Q.ANTUM concept with an efficiency of more than 20%. A 60-cell solar module equipped with these cells would result in a power rating of about 280 W.
In 2009 a few companies, like Sovello or Sunfilm, have been sold.
Core business
The core business of an organization is an idealized construct intended to express that organization's "main" or "essential" activity.The corporate trend in the mid-20th Century of acquiring new enterprises and forming conglomerates enabled corporations to reduce costs funds and similar investment...
is the development, production and marketing of (mono- and multi-) crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.
Since commencing production in 2001, Q-Cells now employs about 1500 people at its site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen
Bitterfeld-Wolfen
Bitterfeld-Wolfen is a town in the district Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated in south-eastern Saxony-Anhalt, west of the river Mulde, in an area that is dominated by heavy industry and lignite mining...
, Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. In its newest solar cell factory in Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
, Malaysia, further 1000 people are employed. Q-Cells produced 537 MW of PV cells in 2009. In 2010, the output was increased to 939 MW. Thereof 482 MW were produced in Germany. So nearly half of the production took place in Malaysia.
Products
Q-Cells markets mainly multicrystalline solar cells which reach conversion efficiencies of up to 17.4%. Its monocrystalline cells have efficiency ratings of up to 18.8%. Q-Cells marks its cells with a small capital 'Q' near a corner.Q-Cells also sells solar modules under its own brand. The module portfolio encompasses crystalline silicon and CIGS
Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Solar Cells
Copper indium gallium selenide is a direct bandgap semiconductor useful for the manufacture of solar cells. Because the material strongly absorbs sunlight, a much thinner film is required than of other semiconductor materials...
thin-film modules. Its multicrystalline module products are called Q.BASE and Q.PRO. Q.PEAK is the name of the monocrystalline module series which also comprises an all-black version.
With its CIGS modules, Q-Cells set a world record for thin-film PV in mass production. Total area efficiency of the Q.SMART modules reached 13.4% in March 2011.
Research & Development
Q-Cells has developed the performance of its cells as well as its technological production processes. Q-Cells is also developing additional technologies through partnerships for the commercialization of these technologies.In 2011, Q-Cells reached a conversion efficiency of 19.5% for 6-inch multicrystalline solar cells which was independently confirmed by the Fraunhofer Society
Fraunhofer Society
The Fraunhofer Society is a German research organization with 60 institutes spread throughout Germany, each focusing on different fields of applied science . It employs around 18,000, mainly scientists and engineers, with an annual research budget of about €1.65 billion...
. This newly developed cell concept named Q.ANTUM features an advanced structure for the back side. Based on these cells, Q-Cells built a record-setting solar module with efficiency rating of 18.1% related to the aperture area.
The latest R&D achievement is a monocrystalline cell based on the Q.ANTUM concept with an efficiency of more than 20%. A 60-cell solar module equipped with these cells would result in a power rating of about 280 W.
Group
The group includes:- Calyxo (CdTe).
- Flexcell (amorphous siliconAmorphous siliconAmorphous silicon is the non-crystalline allotropic form of silicon. It can be deposited in thin films at low temperatures onto a variety of substrates, offering some unique capabilities for a variety of electronics.-Description:...
), that makes rollable solar chargerSolar chargerthumb|right|150px|Solar charger integrated into a backpackSolar charger employs solar energy to supply electricity to devices or charge batteries. They are generally portable....
s. - Solaria Corporation (siliconSiliconSilicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, it is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon, the nonmetal directly above it in the periodic table, but more reactive than germanium, the metalloid directly below it in the table...
). - Solibro, CIGSCopper indium gallium selenideCopper indium gallium selenide is a I-III-VI2 semiconductor material composed of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. The material is a solid solution of copper indium selenide and copper gallium selenide...
for BIPV and small industrial and commercial roofs.
In 2009 a few companies, like Sovello or Sunfilm, have been sold.
Alliances and joint ventures
Q-Cells and China's solar wafer manufacturer Solar LDK announced a joint venture partnership to develop large-scale solar power plants in Europe and China. The first projects, including a 40-MW power plant, are already in the pipeline.See also
- List of photovoltaics companies
- Photovoltaic array
- PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material...
- Sharp SolarSharp SolarSharp Solar produces thin film modules and mono and poly-crystalline silicon solar cells. Sharp's photovoltaic modules are used for many applications, from satellites to lighthouses, and industrial applications to residential use. Sharp began researching solar cells in 1959 with mass production...
- Solar powerSolar powerSolar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
- Thin-film cell
- UMG-Si
- Suntech PowerSuntech PowerSuntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is the world's largest producer of solar panels, with 1,800MW of annual production capacity by the end of 2010. With offices or production facilities in every major market, Suntech has delivered more than 13,000,000 solar panels to thousands of companies in more...
- Dye-sensitized solar cell