Bosch Solar Energy says it has achieved record 19.6% efficiency and 4.73Wp output for its mc-Si solar cells built with PARC technology, more than a full point better than typical Si-based screen-printed cells.

April 20, 2011 - Bosch Solar Energy says it has achieved a new Fraunhofer ISE CalLab-confirmed 19.6% efficiency for large-area (156mm2) monocrystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar cells with screen-printed metallization, and record output of 4.73Wp. Typical Si-based screen-printed solar cells top out at about 17%-18.5%, the company says.

The cells utilize Bosch's passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) technology, in which the rear side of the cells is coated with a dielectric and a metal layer and equipped with point contacts. More incident light is reflected on the cell's reflective rear side, thus the emitter can convert more light into electricity. Bosch claims that the frontside of the cell was also optimized. Modules made with the cells, which offer improved temperature coefficient than standard solar cells, yield more output under weak light incidence and increased ambient temperatures.

Bosch notes that it first showed off the technology at last fall's EU PVSEC; a new R&D center is being established in Arnstadt to come online this summer.