IMEC presents large area solar cells with 18.4% conversion efficiency, featuring Cu-plated contacts
Compared to the standard i-PERC process of the cell, solar cell includes a transmitter IMEC shallow front advanced metallization using copper coating. The results were obtained in the large area of cells (125cm2), demonstrating the industrial feasibility of the process.
The results of the issuer in a shallow blue response improved, and therefore a higher conversion efficiency in a standard emitter. For contacts front, a novel cell metallization is added to apply to local openings in the anti-reflective coating. Dr. Joachim John, team manager at IMEC, “Using copper instead of silver adds to the sustainability of production of solar cells. IMEC was able to do this because it has wide experience with copper on silicon. A similar result was obtained with efficiency screen printed contacts, but the long-term sustainability and cost potential of Cu-based contact solutions and the fact that this was the result obtained without fine adjustment dedicated ago that this result is particularly encouraging. ”
Dr. Jef Poortmans, IMEC photovoltaic program director, says “these cells and the metallization new battery in question is a step in the objective success of IMEC to develop more and more cost-effective, efficient crystalline cells If Solar – eventually attack the cells that only 40μm thick with efficiencies above 20%.
Source: IMEC
