Oerlikon Solar breaks PV efficiency record

Switzerland-based Oerlikon Solar, a supplier of thin-film silicon photovoltaic (PV) production equipment, says it’s achieved a new record efficiency level of 11 per cent initial power conversion for commercial thin-film silicon PV modules.

“This achievement … is another key milestone on our path to grid parity,” said Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar.

Oerlikon Solar has announced a production cost target of $0.70 (US) per watt peak, and says it’s on track to achieve this target by the end of 2010. Increased module efficiency and power are key contributors to this goal.

“We successfully implemented several modifications of key processes of our end-to-end production line, leading to the increase in initial power output and efficiency,” said Juerg Henz, head of thin-film engineering and operations at Oerlikon Solar. “We are confident that our ability to repeatedly achieve record results can be transferred into mass production soon.”