NEW YORK (AP) — China Sunergy Co. has begun commercial production of its higher-efficiency solar cells, the company said Monday.
The ''selective-emitter'' cells yielded an average efficiency rate of 17.5 percent, down from 18.2 percent during pilot runs in early November.
''We will continue to drive further efficiency from these cells going into 2008 and will be adding an additional four production lines during the second half of the year, as we look at ways to expand our margins,'' chief executive Allen Wang said in a statement.
Chief technology officer Jianhua Zhao added that he expects the company to boost efficiency back up to 18 percent as the company improves its equipment and technology.
Cells with higher efficiency rates can produce more energy from fewer panels.
