Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar panels, this week announced plans to increase solar panel production capacity by 1.2GW.
The gains would be made through enhancement of its manufacturing processes and the conversion of 160 MW of its existing solar cell production lines to high-efficiency selective emitter technology. Both initiatives are to be completed in the early first quarter of 2011, when the company’s total solar cell production capacity is expected to reach 550MW.
"The introduction of high-efficiency cell technology is a culmination of increased focus and aggressive investment in R&D, leading to a significant gain in cell efficiencies which are critical to reducing our costs and maintaining our competitive position," said Dr. Peter Xie, President of Solarfun..
Solarfun’s approach is expected to realize efficiency targets exceeding 18.5% and 17.0% for monocrystalline and multicrystalline cells, respectively. Solarfun says elective emitter technology offers several advantages in addition to higher cell efficiencies, including lower capital and physical space requirements, better utilization of existing equipment and employee skills, reduced costs and higher yields.
Also announced were new production facilities currently under construction and expected to be completed during the first half of 2011. The new plants will provide an additional 500 MW of solar cell capacity and 1.2 GW of solar panel capacity.
Solarfun also announced yesterday that the company has obtained an RMB6 billion credit facility, or an equivalent amount of foreign currency, from Bank of Shanghai, Nanjing branch.
Solarfun solar panels have a strong presence in the Australian home solar power market and are often re-branded under other names.
