Sanyo unveils 'world's highest' cell conversion efficiency of 21.6%
1 min read
Sanyo Component Europe has launched a crystalline based module with what it claims to be the world's highest cell conversion efficiency of 21.6%. The HIT-N240SE10 underwent a new tab design and now incorporates anti reflection coated glass. This provides an 11.1% increase in efficiency over and above Sanyo's previous module.
The 21.6% efficiency cell was developed by adopting various technologies which were developed through R&D such as the reduction of loss. The HIT cell structure is a monocrystalline wafer surrounded by ultra thin amorphous silicon layers, which is made up of high conversion efficiency and temperature characteristics.
Sanyo's current series has connected cells with two tabs whereas the new N series uses three tabs, designed to reduce the electrical losses in the cell fingers. In addition to this, through designing new thinner tabs, the effective area is enlarged to capture more sunlight and improve efficiency.
The anti reflection coated glass enables more sunlight to arrive to the cells, improving the efficiency. According to Sanyo, this effect is especially noticeable in the morning and evening, when the sun is at a low position; therefore, increased specific yield can be achieved.
The new HIT N Series 240W module is currently undergoing commercialisation and will be on sale in Europe from early 2011.
