To impact solar power cost in a major way
SunEdison, a well-known name in solar technology space, has claimed that it has developed an advanced polysilicon technology. Consequently, it is on target to produce solar material at the lowest cost, says a company release.
“This represents a step-change in technology, and will enable SunEdison to deliver a 400 watt peak solar panel at a cost of $0.40 per watt peak by 2016,” the release adds.
“Solar energy is at a transformational moment in time, and innovative technology is what will power that transformation,” the release quotes Ahmad Chatila, Chief Executive Officer of SunEdison, saying. “Our latest advance in technology will enable solar power to become the lowest cost energy solution – not just an alternative to other renewable sources, but the cost-winner over fossil fuels as well,” it quotes him as further saying.
The technology, called “high pressure fluidized bed reactor (HP-FBR)”, the company claims, produces high purity polysilicon 10 times more efficiently, and with 90 per cent less energy used than non FBR technologies.
The HP-FBR technology, it is pointed out, requires less land, less capital and fewer natural resources.
HP-FBR technology is now in production at Ulsan in Korea. It is a joint venture facility of SunEdison, SunEdison Semiconductor, and Samsung Fine Chemicals (SFC).
The capacity of the Korean plant was originally designed for 10,000 tonnes per year but has been enhanced to 13,500 tonnes.
The plant is expected to operate at full capacity by the first quarter of 2015.
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