10 July 2012
Industrial level silicon solar cell exceeds 20% efficiency
Imec has debuted a large area industrial level silicon solar cell with an efficiency of 20.04%.
Developed using the company's PERC manufacturing process, the cell is designed to maximise conversion efficiency through structure and material optimisations while maintaining cost effective processing.
Measuring 125 x 125mm², the PERC cell is compatible with industrial photovoltaic production. It is a Cz p-type silicon cell with a simple homogeneous emitter and Ag single screen printed front side contacts (65µm finger width), two busbars and an adapted Al back side metallisation. Imec says this holds the potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency in industrial production environments.
"A simple and cost effective PERC cell is imec's answer to short term aspiration of the photovoltaic industry to reduce the cost per Watt peak of silicon solar cells," commented Dr Jef Poortmans, director of photovoltaics research at imec. "We are delighted to have achieved an efficiency of more than 20% for a standard PERC cell, featuring a large area, only a homogeneous emitter and Ag screen printed contacts."
Author
Simon Fogg
Supporting Information
Websites
http://www2.imec.be
Companies
IMEC
This material is protected by Findlay Media copyright
See Terms
and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the
sales team.