Q-Cells Looks to Expand in North American Solar Market

By Nichola Groom

LOS ANGELES | Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:45am EDT

(Reuters) - German solar company Q-Cells unveiled its thin film modules in the United States on Wednesday as it seeks to cash in on growing demand in North America while lessening its reliance on the European market, where government support for solar is declining.

The company, which entered the North American market just a year ago and thus far has had a tiny presence in the utility-scale solar market, said it introduced its copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar modules to get into the business for commercial and residential rooftop solar systems.

"Here in North America, with this announcement, it's rounding out and completing our presence here with all the market segments," said Marc van Gerven, managing director of Q-Cells' North American business, adding that the move was part of Q-Cells' two-year effort to "internationalize."

But Q-Cells is also walking into a highly competitive market, particularly as the United States is home to top thin film company First Solar Inc, whose cadmium telluride panels are the lowest cost in the industry.

CIGS technology holds the promise of having cheap production costs combined with cell efficiency near the best of traditional silicon-based panels.... read the rest