The solar cell manufacturer also launched another product, the 290W Vd-Series multicrystalline module that boasts of higher efficiencies as well as of slower degradation.
The company is now using the technology to make multicrystalline silicon solar cells, and HiPerforma is the first product using the new silicon cells, Beebe said.
This high efficiency PV technology allows Suntech to achieve conversion efficiency rates in the range of 18% to 19% on PV cells manufactured with monocrystalline silicon wafers and 16.5% to 17.5% on PV cells manufactured with multicrystalline silicon wafers.
The solar industry, which relies heavily on government subsidies for manufacturing and installations, has become more partial to the cheaper multicrystalline wafers in order to cut costs and compete more effectively with other sources of electricity, from wind to natural gas.