Winchester, UK - Entech Solar (Fort Worth, Texas) has entered into a research contract with Fraunhofer USA's Center for Sustainable Energy Systems to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating high-efficiency back-contact silicon solar cells into Entech's 20x concentrating solar systems.

In conjunction with Europe's largest solar research facility at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg, Germany, Fraunhofer CSE will utilize its recently established solar development and test laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, to simulate, design, and test prototype back-contact silicon solar.

The goal of the research will be to provide a cell with greater efficiency than those Entech currently uses. Fraunhofer will also make recommendations related to the future mass production of such high-efficiency back-contact cells for use in Entech's products.

"Our engagement with Fraunhofer demonstrates Entech's commitment to producing the most efficient, highest quality concentrating solar products available," said Frank Smith, CEO of Entech Solar. "This contract supports the company's strategy of commercializing its existing concentrating solar modules as well as investing in next generation systems. We expect to realize significant performance improvement through this relationship."

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