Schott Solar advised that it had achieved 20.2% efficiency on its monocrystalline screen-printed solar PV cell; a feat that was confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). The 4.92W cell uses an industrial sized 156mm x 156mm wafer, which led Schott to maintain that this is the first PV cell of its size to reach this efficiency.
In 2010, Schott developed its polycrystalline cell concept that saw its module reach a 17.6% efficiency. Using this achievement as a starting point, in early 2011, Schott focused its research on creating a monocrystalline cell that would result in a similar high-efficiency.
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The company noted that during its early attempts to transfer its processes, it recorded cell efficiencies over 19% leading researchers to improve the front-side of the cell and reach efficiencies over 20%. Schott advised that it collaborated with the Schmid Group to merge its selective emitter technology with Scott’s passivated rear-side technology, which helped lead to the efficiency rating.
“The cell performance of 4.92W that we were able to achieve has encouraged the entire team to begin working on optimizing the actual manufacturing process and to apply these results to the development of highly efficient modules,” states Schott Solar head of development Klaus Wangemann.