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Conergy investing €5 million in new production installations

Germany-based Conergy is investing €5 million in new production installations for solar cells at its Frankfurt (Oder) factory. In doing this, said the company, it will be able to increase the efficiency of its solar modules and further expand its manufacturing capacities.

The equipment is provided by Manz Automation. Image: Conergy.

The company went on to say that specialists are currently in the process of integrating the machines into the existing production facilities. It added: “Once installed, the so-called "OneStep Selective Emitter" technology will enable increases in efficiency of up to 0.5 percentage points.” The equipment is provided by Manz Automation AG, Reutlingen.

Furthermore, said Conergy, it will be one of the first companies in the world to use the “pioneering” technology in its mass production.

"Our factory in Frankfurt (Oder) is one of the most modern solar factories of the world. But we don't want to rest on our laurels. That's why we are already looking ahead to the technologies of tomorrow – and using them in our production facilities. That way, we increase our cell efficiency, minimize scrap and increase output. A genuine technological leap for us," says Mathias Kamolz, factory manager and technical director of the solar factory.

Cranes are said to be currently lifting the individual machines onto the second floor of the solar factory. Technicians will then install them on a 40-metre section between two existing cell production lines. To make sure that it can take the new, 50-ton equipment, Conergy has said it is reinforcing the raised floor with concrete foundations in the cell area.

Over the next few weeks, engineers will connect the heavy machines up on the production floor and then put the installations into operation step by step.

Mathias Kamolz: "Despite the construction works, the existing four cell lines are running at full speed. By the end of the year, we shall be able to manufacture even more efficient cells with the new technology, producing solar modules of considerably higher performance classes."