LDK Solar Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers and PV products, announced that LDK Solar's patent "Directional Solidification Furnace with Recharging Apparatus for Multicrystalline Silicon Ingot Growth" has won the Excellence Award of the 12th China Patent Award which is the highest award in the patent field in China.

"Directional Solidification Furnace with Recharging Apparatus for Multicrystalline Silicon Ingot Growth" is a technology and apparatus that can greatly enhance the production throughput of the current directional solidification furnaces. With the proprietarily designed feeding system, more silicon material can be added into the same crucible during and after melting of the original charge. This will help to reduce the cost of ingot production through less consumption of crucibles and energy, and produce higher yield of useful ingots for solar wafers.

"We are pleased to receive this special award for our patented technology," stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of LDK Solar. "LDK Solar continues to focus on research and development projects which will improve process technology, reduce manufacturing costs as well as elevate our overall product quality. Our investment in R&D will build LDK Solar as a truly vertically integrated photovoltaic technology company."