Ferroglobe Announces Successful Test of Silicon Wafers Produced With 100% Un-blended Ferroglobe Solar-Grade Silicon Metal
August 14 2018 - 8:24AM
Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ:GSM) (“Ferroglobe” or the “Company”), a
global leader in the production of silicon metal, silicon-based
alloys and manganese-based alloys, announced that it has
successfully tested 500kW of silicon wafers in coordination with
one of the Silicon Module Super League (“SMSL” or the “Super
League”) photovoltaic (PV) product producers. All of the
wafers tested were fabricated using 100% un-blended solar-grade
silicon produced by Ferroglobe.
During testing, a sample production of 130,000 wafers
consistently delivered efficiencies of 18.5% and yield ratios of
98% (i.e., less than a 2% reject ratio), which compare very
favourably with photovoltaic industry benchmarks. This test was
overseen by TÜV Rheinland, a leading independent auditor in the PV
industry, which will be producing the corresponding product
certificate.
In the coming weeks, Ferroglobe also will be testing passivated
emitter rear contact (“PERC”) solar cells of 500kW capacity made
using its own “black silicon” in coordination with another Super
League photovoltaic producer. Black silicon and PERC cell
design are cutting edge PV cell technologies for multi-crystalline
silicon, which contribute to increased absorption of light, thus
attaining higher efficiency levels (20%-21%) than standard solar
cells.
The Super League comprises seven companies that each will each
ship in excess of 4 GW of modules this year, resulting in the
consumption of at least 30,000 metric tons of solar grade silicon
metal. These are: (i) Canadian Solar, Inc., (ii) GCL-Poly Energy
Holdings (Systems Integration), (iii) Hanwha Q-CELLS Co., (iv) JA
Solar Holdings, (v) Jinko Solar Holding Co., (vi) LONGi Solar
Technology Co., and (vii) Trina Solar, Ltd.
This development is the result of the strategic investments
Ferroglobe has made in recent years in developing its own
technology for the production of solar-grade silicon metal through
non-chemical processes. Through its subsidiary FerroSolar S.L.,
Ferroglobe is currently building a factory in Puertollano, Spain to
upgrade its technology at an industrial scale. This technology
purifies silicon metal with considerably less energy consumption
than the standard chemical process. The new factory will be
operational by year end.
About FerroglobeFerroglobe PLC is one of the
world's leading suppliers of silicon metal, silicon-based alloys
and manganese-based alloys serving a customer base across the globe
in dynamic and fast-growing end markets, such as solar, automotive,
consumer products, construction and energy. The Company is based in
London. For more information, visit
http://investor.ferroglobe.com/.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. securities
laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are
based on certain assumptions of management and describe the
Company's future plans, strategies and expectations.
Forward-looking statements often use forward-looking terminology,
including words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could",
"estimate", "expect", "forecast", "guidance", "intends", "likely",
"may", "plan", "potential", "predicts", "seek", "will" and words of
similar meaning or the negative thereof.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based on information presently available to the Company and
assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but are inherently
uncertain. As a result, Ferroglobe's actual results, performance or
achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied
by these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of
future performance and involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the
Company's control.
All information in this press release is as of the date of its
release. Ferroglobe does not undertake any obligation to update
publicly any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect new information, events or circumstances arising after the
date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statement which are made only as of the date of
this press release.
INVESTOR CONTACTS:Pedro Larrea Paguaga: +44 (0)
203 129 2261, +44 (0) 7553 989 394Chief Executive OfficerEmail:
pedro.larrea@ferroglobe.com
Phillip Murnane: +44 (0) 203 129 2265, +44 (0) 7771 544 988Chief
Financial OfficerEmail: phillip.murnane@ferroglobe.com
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