Mass-production of large size a-Si modules and future plan

We have achieved stable 8% module efficiency with large area monolithic amorphous silicon pin single-junction cell on 910 mm×455 mm glass substrate. Utilizing this type of modules, we have designed, developed and tested photovoltaic modules integrated with roofing material for personal house. We proved that the modules are suitable for roofing purpose, through the detailed designing, actual installation and the performance evaluation. We will start to produce mass-production of amorphous modules with 20 MW/yr capacity in October 1999 in Toyooka-city, Hyogo-prefecture where we establish Kaneka Solartech Corporation as the production subsidiary. We also achieved 11.3% stable efficiency of hybrid solar cell (25 cm2) with amorphous Si and poly-Si thin film. We will introduce this hybrid cell technologies to Toyooka Plant by adding the CVD for thin-film poly-Si till 2003.