It did not reveal the name of the company that ordered its industrialized HELiA platform, which is designed for the production of bifacial HJT solar cells. However, it appears likely that the Swiss PV technology provider will supply its HJT solar cell coating technology to Italian utility Enel SpA, as the Thun-based manufacturer said that it will install the equipment at a production facility in Catania, Italy.
Throughout the course of this year, Enel Green Power — a subsidiary of Enel SpA — has been revamping a solar factory it owns in the city of Catania, which is located on the island of Sicily. It plans to eventually manufacture HJT solar cells based on crystalline and amorphous silicon at the facility. However, the Rome-based power group has not yet responded to requests to confirm whether it placed the equipment order with Meyer Burger.
“This marks an important milestone for Meyer Burger’s industrialised HJT technology, which is on its way to becoming the next high-efficency cell technology for bifacial solar modules,” said Meyer Burger CEO Hans Brändle.
Meyer Burger will install the production lines and provide staff training on site, according to an online statement. It plans to start delivering the equipment in the middle of next year, with full production scheduled to start at some point in 2019.
The company also plans to set up a joint development venture with the unnamed customer in Catania. Together, they aim to achieve HJT cell efficiencies of more than 23%. At first, they will start production with conventional busbar cell connection technologies, but they aim to eventually switch to Meyer Burger’s SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT).
Meyer Burger recorded strong incoming orders of CHF 308.5 million in the first half of this year, up 15% year on year. Net sales hit CHF 212.3 million, down 2.5% from the preceding year.
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