EcoSolifer announced plans for its Hungary-based HJT cell production line to come online in 2016, but the fab never really took off. Post restructuring, the company now says it is finally looking to start in Q4/2018 (Photo Credit: EcoSolifer AG)

Switzerland’s solar cell manufacturer EcoSolifer Group is finally talking about its planned 100 MW heterojunction (HJT) solar cell manufacturing line that was originally announced to start production in early 2016. It has now revealed that post “successful restructuring” of the company, it has intensified its efforts to bring online the planned HJT production line in Csorna, Hungary.

The line was supposed to have 90 to 100 MW annual capacity to be integrated with bifacial SmartWire glass-to-glass module manufacturing. EcoSolifer has now confirmed the line will have 100 MW capacity.

Swiss PV equipment supplier Meyer Burger AG provided the HJT turnkey manufacturing line for a total of CHF 23 million ($23.32 million). The contract signed between the two in August 2015 included an option for future delivery of Meyer Burger’s SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT).

According to press statement issued by EcoSolifer on Aug. 21, the Hungarian company expects the production line to be commissioned by Q4/2018, while production ramp up is scheduled between first and second quarter of 2019.

The new line is planned to produce 6-inch HJT bifacial cell with an average front side efficiency of 23.5%. The company said this efficiency will be significantly increased to 25.5% in the near future. On the module level it targets over 22% by utilizing the results of a EU Horizon 2020 project. The project’s topic are ‘double side contact cells (DISC) with innovative carrier-selective contacts.’