Imec and silicon photovoltaic industrial affiliation program partners Schott Solar, Total, Photovoltech, GDF-SUEZ, Solland Solar, Kaneka and Dow Corning have demonstrated power conversion efficiency of 23.3% on interdigitated back-contact (IBC) silicon solar cells.

December 1, 2011 -- Imec and silicon photovoltaic industrial affiliation program partners Schott Solar, Total, Photovoltech, GDF-SUEZ, Solland Solar, Kaneka and Dow Corning have demonstrated power conversion efficiency of 23.3% on interdigitated back-contact (IBC) silicon solar cells.

Inside the 2 x 2cm2 IBC Si solar cells:

  • n-type base float-zone (FZ) silicon substrates,
  • a random pyramid texture,
  • a boron-diffused emitter,
  • phosphorous-diffused front- and back surface fields,
  • a thermally grown silicon dioxide for surface passivation,
  • a SiN single layer anti-reflective coating,
  • lithography-based patterning,
  • aluminum metallization.

The IBC cells achieve a designated area conversion efficiency of 23.3% (Jsc = 41.6 mA, Voc=696 mV, FF=80.4%), certified by ISE-Callabs.

Also read: imec, Kaneka replace silver in heterojunction silicon solar cells and Varian using DOE SunShot grant for interdigitated backside contact solar cell fab

The goal of interdigitated back contact photovoltaics technology is to increase crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cell efficiency with thinner cells. They could also simplify module fabrication and improve product aesthetics.

Imec calls the demonstration a high-efficiency baseline process for small-area IBC cells. imec's next step with the group partners will be to develop a large-area and industrially feasible IBC cell technology.

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.

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