| 15.12.2009 10:02 |    |
ECN (Energy research Centre of the Netherlands) has made the world’s first multi-crystalline silicon solar panel with 17.0 percent efficiency. This will be reported in the January 2010 issue of the journal “Progress in Photovoltaics” and represents a 1.5% improvement over the previous 15–year old listing of 15.5% efficiency held by Sandia Labs (USA).
ECN has been in competition with others to overtake this record. Several efficiency records have been claimed in the past 6 months, with the highest so far reported to be an efficiency of 16.5 percent. The new record of 17.0 percent sets a new standard of efficiency for multi-crystalline silicon. The world record was made possible by using the highest quality multi-crystalline silicon solar wafers from REC’s latest mass production lines in Norway.
ECN produced the solar cells and solar panel, using its new manufacturing process based on a cell design with all contacts on the rear of the cell. The panel is made using industrial-scale equipment for interconnection and encapsulation of rear-contact cells made in ECN’s pilotline. ECN’s rear-contact technology is based on the so-called metallization wrap-through technology (MWT) which includes making holes in the wafers prior to cell processing. In the MWT technology, the front electrode is “wrapped through” small vias in the cells, and contacted at the rear so that the front bus bars can be removed and less sunshine is reflected from the front of the panel.
Martin Green, Editor-in-Chief of Progress in Photovoltaics: “Breaking this record has been a challenge to researchers for many years. The fact that several efforts in the past 6 months have boosted up the record efficiency by 1.5% shows the enormous progress made in solar energy and by ECN and REC in particular.”
Ton Hoff, Managing director of ECN: “For ECN, it is most important to show our progress in industrially viable technology together with a leading partner like REC. The world record shows the enormous potential of our technology in pilot production. The next step will be commercial production."
”We are extremely pleased that our efforts in wafer technology development have taken us to a leadership position in the industry. Our previous joint REC/ECN record measurement was at 16.4 percent efficiency, and significant effort has gone into reaching the 17 percent milestone” said Erik Sauar, REC’s SVP Technology & CTO.
The performance measurement result was recently officially confirmed by European Solar Test Installation (ESTI). The efficiency level* was a result of a joint effort where the record wafers were provided by REC, while ECN made the cells and assembled the world record panel.
*The measurements were done under Standard Test Conditions and represent aperture area efficiency.
About ECN
The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands develops high-quality knowledge and technology for the transition to sustainable energy management. ECN introduces this knowledge and technology to the market. ECN’s focus is on energy conservation, sustainable energy and an efficient and clean use of fossil fuels. www.ecn.nl/home/
About REC
REC is the leading vertically integrated player in the solar energy industry. REC Silicon and REC Wafer are among the world's largest producers of poly silicon and wafers for solar applications. REC Solar is a rapidly growing manufacturer of solar cells and panels, and is also engaging in project development activities in selected segments of the PV market. REC had revenues of NOK 8 191 million and an operating profit of NOK 2 529 million in 2008. More than 3 000 employees work in REC's worldwide organization. www.recgroup.com
About ESTI
The European Solar Test Installation is the first accredited test facility for the calibration of photovoltaic devices worldwide, offering photovoltaic type approval tests and calibration services to manufacturers, research partners and other users. ESTI is part of the Renewable Energy Unit in the Institute for Energy which is one of the seven scientific institutes of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. ie.jrc.ec.europa.eu/. The measurements were done under Standard Test Conditions and represent the aperture area efficiency.
Only for press
For information please contact ECN press officer Florentine de Maar.
Telephone: +31 224-564050 or +31 6-12798123, email: demaar@ecn.nl
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