20% Efficient Solar Cell on EpiWafer
Epitaxial Wafer (right) detached from re-usable seed wafer (left). © Fraunhofer ISE
In the EpiWafer technology, a thick crystalline silicon layer is epitaxially deposited and subsequently detached after growth to produce a freestanding wafer of standard thickness.
Due to the radical changes in the manufacturing value chain, EpiWafers can be produced at an appreciably lower cost compared to the traditional wafer manufacturing process. The EpiWafer is a direct substitute for conventional n- or p-doped silicon mono-crystalline wafers.
Now, Fraunhofer ISE reports on substantial progress in the development of its EpiWafers, which are seen as a drop-in replacement for conventional Cz wafers. Fraunhofer ISE’s research team in co-operation with NexWafe has optimized all production steps for the EpiWafer.
Analysis of the new n-doped EpiWafers shows that mean minority carrier lifetimes are above 1000 µs, indicating the same quality as n-type Cz wafers. Solar cells processed on these EpiWafers yield 20% efficiency, independently confirmed at the Fraunhofer ISE CalLab. “I am elated about this fantastic result,” says Dr. Stefan Janz, Head of the Department of Silicon Materials.
“This success attests to our fast progress made in only a few months since focusing on EpiWafers.” The solar cells achieve a short-circuit current of 39.6 mA/cm2, a world-record value for epitaxially grown silicon solar cells. The new results will be presented during the coming European PVSEC in Hamburg.
Dr. Stefan Reber, CEO of NexWafe, is also very excited about the new results: “These values demonstrate that our EpiWafer technology is a game-changing technology. It accelerates the shift of the market towards high efficiency modules by providing high quality drop-in mono-crystalline EpiWafers at a very competitive price.”
More information on NexWafe : http://www.nexwafe.com
Contact Person for further information:
Fraunhofer ISE
Dr. Stefan Janz
Phone +49 761 4588-5261
stefan.janz@ise.fraunhofer.de
NexWafe GmbH
Dr. Stefan Reber
Phone +49 761 7661 18600
info@nexwafe.com
Media Contact
All latest news from the category: Power and Electrical Engineering
This topic covers issues related to energy generation, conversion, transportation and consumption and how the industry is addressing the challenge of energy efficiency in general.
innovations-report provides in-depth and informative reports and articles on subjects ranging from wind energy, fuel cell technology, solar energy, geothermal energy, petroleum, gas, nuclear engineering, alternative energy and energy efficiency to fusion, hydrogen and superconductor technologies.
Newest articles
New organoid with all key pancreas cells
Researchers from the Organoid group (previously Clevers group) at the Hubrecht Institute have developed a new organoid that mimics the human fetal pancreas, offering a clearer view of its early development….
Unlocking the potential of nickel
New study reveals how to use single atoms to turn CO2 into valuable chemical resources. Nickel and nitrogen co-doped carbon (Ni-N-C) catalysts have shown exceptional performance in converting CO2 into…
‘Spooky action’ at a very short distance
Scientists map out quantum entanglement in protons. Particles streaming from collisions offer insight into dynamic interactions and collective behavior of quarks and gluons. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s…