[Thalheim, Germany, May 17, 2021] Qcells has begun investing a further €15.5 million into its global research and development HQ in Thalheim, near Bitterfeld-Wolfen in Germany, as part of the company’s ongoing R&D roadmap to drive next generation solar module technology development.
The additional €15.5 million come on top of last year’s pledge to invest €20 million into machinery and equipment for next generation PV technology development. Together with around €35 million of yearly R&D expenditure these will boost total investments into the HQ for technology innovation & quality to over €140 million by 2023.
This latest tranche of investment has been funneled into procuring specialist equipment that will support R&D efforts in n-type cell and module development. Qcells’ team of experienced scientists has identified this technology as the most effective next-gen driver of LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) reduction within PV over the next few years.
Development of the n-type technology – which will be called Q.ANTUM NEO – is already well advanced. Q.ANTUM NEO is the next step in Qcells’ unique Q.ANTUM Technology roadmap, utilizing n-type cells with passivating contacts to further increase the efficiency and power of the solar modules. Qcells expects to introduce Q.TRON, a new solar module manufactured using this cell technology within 2021, boosting efficiencies well above the levels of current p-type modules on the market. In parallel, Qcells is also working on tandem solar cell research & development based on perovskite technology in its technology and R&D HQ in Germany.
Qcells CTO, Dr. Daniel Jeong, said: “The core values of Qcells have always been technological excellence and leadership, and I am excited to reveal that the company is poised to once again introduce an era-defining PV technology to the market this year with a new high-efficiency module product made with our brand new n-type Q.ANTUM NEO technology. Our precise investment roadmap has been carefully considered to ensure that Qcells can continue to shape the next-generation of solar energy technology for many years to come.”
About Qcells
Qcells is one of the world’s largest and most recognized photovoltaic manufacturers for its high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) with its diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Qcells offers the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, applications and solutions, from cells and modules to kits to systems to large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Qcells provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, governmental and residential markets. For more information, visit: www.q-cells.com.
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