Yingli Partners with ECN and Tempress to Facilitate Mass Production of IBC Cells

BAODING, China, April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. ("Yingli" or "Yingli Solar") (NYSE:YGE), one of the world's leading solar panel manufacturers, announced that it has produced the first interdigitated back contact (IBC) n-type solar cells based on 6-inch wafers at an industrial pilot line within just three months by adopting the new production process co-developed by Dutch research centre ECN and equipment manufacturer Tempress.

The production process is based on Yingli's commercialised PANDA process for the low-cost production of conventional n-type solar cells (n-PERT). The process was adapted for IBC-type cells using the screen printing technology for patterning and metallisation. The production of IBC cells in Yingli's industrial pilot line proves that the commercial production of efficient IBC cells is feasible on short term.  

ECN is focusing its research on n-type silicon solar cells as these are potentially more efficient than p-type cells and are less sensitive to degradation and impurities. Additionally, the back contact design of solar cells offers several advantages. They exhibit a higher voltage and deliver a higher current, because of reduced losses via recombination and a larger surface on the sunny side.

By producing the cells at Yingli, the consortium has now tackled the complexity of producing such cells. The consortium aims to produce cells that have an efficiency of 22% by the end of 2017. The development and production of commercial modules is expected for 2018. Moreover, the inherent bifacial character of the IBC cells will also allow pursuing the route of truly bifacial module technology.

"This result shows once again the synergy of our long lasting and fruitful cooperation with Yingli and ECN, who did the majority of work to achieve this. For Tempress this is an important opportunity to adapt and develop equipment and process that can be used in the production process of these next generation cells. A partner like Yingli combined with ECN, puts us in a position where developments can go really fast, which I think is best demonstrated by achievements like this. We are very thankful to have such valuable partners." commented Albert Hasper, general manager of Dutch Solar Equipment company Tempress.

The cooperation with Yingli is very important for this development, says ECN researcher Dr. Ilkay Cesar. "Yingli has the facilities to produce high-quality solar cells on a large scale at low cost. This greatly enhances our opportunities for research and development on the cell process and module integration in a new way for our program. We are happy to partner with Yingli to continue the development of commercial processes for n-type solar cells. The pilot line now provides IBC cells in sufficient quantities to enable efficient back-contact module development which will boost the Dutch and EU PV tool and material supplier industry. The ECN Industry Research Program (IRP) aims to bring our simplified IBC technology to 23% within 3 years. IRP partners can start pilot production in less than 3 months as already demonstrated by Yingli."

 "It is our honour to cooperate with ECN and Tempress in producing IBC cells and we appreciate their highly industrial focus, which will enhance the chances to bring this product to the market in the short term. This cooperation and the pilot production of IBC cells are consistent with our long-term commitments to making solar electricity affordable and accessible for all through continued technology innovation," said Dr Dengyuan Song, Chief Technology Officer of Yingli.

About Yingli

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE), known as "Yingli" or "Yingli Solar", is one of the world's leading solar panel manufacturers. Yingli's manufacturing covers the photovoltaic value chain from ingot casting and wafering through solar cell production and solar panel assembly. Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli has more than 20 regional subsidiaries and branch offices and has distributed more than 17GW solar panels to customers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.yinglisolar.com and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Yingli Green Energy's control, which may cause Yingli Green Energy's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in Yingli Green Energy's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Yingli Green Energy does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For further information, please contact:

Eric Pan
Investor Relations
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited
Tel: +86 312 8929787
E-mail: [email protected] 

SOURCE Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited

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