Trina Solar, Australian National University to partner on high-efficiency solar cell R&D

(ADPnews) - Apr 29, 2011 - Chinese photovoltaic (PV) product maker Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL, FRA:TR3) has teamed up with Australian National University for research and development (R&D) on the production of high-efficiency cells, Trina said yesterday.

The three-year R&D agreement has been signed between Trina Solar unit Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co and the ANU.

Following the agreement, Trina Solar and the ANU will cooperate to develop n-type monocrystalline solar cells with 20% conversion efficiency for commercial production by utilizing existing processing tools used for p-type cells production. The partners will also aim to increase the efficiency of Trina Solar's standard p-type multicrystalline silicon cells to 19%.

The R&D partnership is expected to receive some AUD 3 million (USD 3.3m/EUR 2.2m) in funding from the Australian Solar Institute, which is part of the government's Clean Energy Initiative that supports innovative research ideas.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 1.090/EUR 0.735)

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