New World Record Efficiency of 25.7% for Both Sides-Contacted Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cell

Several new record cell efficiencies were announced at SiliconPV, the 7th International Conference on Silicon Photovoltaics which was held in Freiburg, Germany on April 3-5, 2017. This top-level scientific forum demonstrated that silicon, the workhorse of the solar cell industry, still has large development potential.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE presented a new efficiency record of 25.7 % as one of many highlights surrounding its both sides-contacted monocrystalline silicon solar cell based on the TOPCon technology. With this new efficiency, Fraunhofer ISE has entered into the area formerly reserved for only the most complex types of cells that require technologically complicated manufacturing processes. The TOPCon concept, based on a special technology for the rear side of the solar cell, still shows a large potential for optimization. In September 2015, the Freiburg researchers have already achieved a world record with this technology. Now only one and a half years later, they were able to increase their former record by 0.6 % absolute.

Detailed information on the TOPCon technology and its potential can be found in the press release from September 2015.

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