SOLEXEL achieve epitaxial silicon solar cell conversion efficiency of 20.1% unit

SOLEXEL company in the solar cell of the International Society "EU PVSEC" announced , formed by epitaxial growth of silicon thin film solar cell unit to achieve a conversion efficiency of 20.1% . Since the formation of silicon ingots and eliminates the need for cutting cell processes , etc., so the module manufacturing cost can be reduced to $ 0.4 / W.

SOLEXEL was founded in 2007, venture firms , has about 50 employees. Pawan Kapur , vice president of the company said, "This is our first introduction to the detailed manufacturing method ." Manufacturing method , first forming a porous silicon film on a substrate , in which is formed by epitaxial growth on the light absorbing layer - single crystal silicon film ( thickness of 43μm); Then , after forming a metal film such as aluminum , the use of a laser patterned forming an electrode ; finally overlap flexible material , peeled from the substrate and the epitaxial silicon film section above . Substrates intended for reuse. The standard cell size and crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturers the same as 156mm square.

Cell conversion efficiency of 20.1% is the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) measured the official value . SOLEXEL said improved battery cell after received the result of more than 21% . In the future, the company plans to expand the size of the battery unit to 210mm square , in addition, will also consider the use of materials other than silicon compounds .