IMEC beats solar cell efficiency records
IMEC’s thin wafer Si solar cells are showing the potential to exceed 20% efficiency. According to the Belgian research institute, it has achieved an efficiency of 17.4% for its thin wafer silicon solar cells, made using its i-PERC process, which passivates the rear side of the solar cell and creates local contacts.
IMEC has also developed small area crystalline Si solar cells with evaporated contacts. In lab scale trials using the i-PERC process, an efficiency of 19% was achieved with a short circuit current of more than 39mA/cm2.
Meanwhile, IMEC claims to be approaching the theoretical efficiency limit for Ge cells. Previously, IMEC has achieved efficiencies of around 8%, but has now broken through 8.5% barrier, close to the theoretical limits for Ge.
