By Kari Williamson

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has confirmed a module efficiency of 18.5% in reference to the aperture area for a solar PV module with 60 multi-crystalline solar cells. This breaks Q-Cells' previous achievement of 18.1% in the summer of 2011.

Additionally, Fraunhofer ISE has confirmed a peak output of 283 W for a quasi-monocrystalline solar PV module.

“With these world records, Q-Cells is once again underscoring its technology leading position in terms of efficiency as well as the output of its products,” says Peter Wawer, Head of Technology at Q-Cells SE.

Both solar PV modules are based on Q-Cells' Q.ANTUM cell concept, which is expected to reach market in 2012.

Pilot production of the new solar PV cell concept is already underway at Q-Cells' production facility in Thalheim, Germany.