JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO) ("JA Solar" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar power products, today announced that its high efficiency Maple solar cells have reached conversion efficiency levels of 18.5% in large volume production. The average conversion efficiency recorded for Maple cells in mass production is 18%, which is a new record for JA Solar and substantially higher than the industry standard average conversion efficiency for multi-crystalline solar cells of approximately 16.8%.
Maple technology features silicon crystals that are broader, flatter and have fewer grain boundaries than traditional multi-crystalline silicon. Utilizing an innovative process technology, JA Solar has been able to achieve conversion efficiency rates with Maple cells that are similar to those of mono-crystalline solar cells while maintaining the cost advantage of multi-crystalline processing technology. Maple cells can be applied in a variety of form factors that maximize power output and reduce installation costs. JA Solar now offers Maple modules in a 60-cell form factor with power output of 245W to 250W. Through further optimization, the Company expects to increase the power output of its Maple modules to the range of 255W to 260W in the first half of 2012, and to make these modules available to customers in large volume commercial quantities.
At the third annual Energy Enterprises Summit Forum in late November organized by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), JA Solar's Maple technology breakthrough was awarded the Annual Prize for Advances in Energy Technology. JA Solar is the first company in the photovoltaic industry to receive this award.
"We are very excited to reach this major milestone in the development of our high-efficiency Maple solar cell technology," said Dr. Peng Fang, CEO of JA Solar. "This success underlines JA Solar's position as an industry leader in solar cell technology innovation. Maple technology addresses the market's desire for cost effective higher power products at lower installation cost. It offers unrivaled value for customers looking to maximize power output with a cost-effective solution, and is ideally suited to space constrained application such as commercial rooftops. Customers have responded positively to Maple technology and JA Solar's new range of high-power modules. By continuing to offer best-in-class technology, superior product performance, and world-class customer service, we are confident that JA Solar offers the best value to our network of partners and customers."