EU PVSEC: IMEC presents Cu-plated contact c-Si cell with 18.4% conversion efficiency

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

IMEC has presented a large-area cell (125cm2) at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference that incorporates a shallow emitter and advanced front metallization using copper plating instead of silver, which has a conversion efficiency of 18.4%. IMEC plans to develop the technology to efficiencies above 20% and wafer thickness of 40µm.

“Using copper instead of silver adds to the sustainability of solar cell production,” remarked Dr. Joachim John, team manager at IMEC. “IMEC was able to do this because it has extensive experience with copper plating on silicon. A similar efficiency result was obtained with screen printed contacts, but the long-term sustainability and low-cost potential of Cu-based contacting solutions and the fact that this was a first result obtained without dedicated fine-tuning makes this result particularly encouraging.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“These cells and the new metallization stack involved are a further successful step in IMEC’s target to develop ever more cost-effective, efficient crystalline Si solar cells – eventually targeting cells that are only 40µm thick with efficiencies above 20%,” commented Dr. Jef Poortmans, IMEC’s Photovoltaics Program Director.

IMEC noted that the shallow emitter results in an enhanced blue response, and thus in a higher conversion efficiency than with a standard emitter.  The front contacts used a novel metallization stack is added which is applied to local openings in the antireflective coating. 

Caption: IMEC’s i-PERC cell with shallow emitter and Cu metallization

Read Next

July 16, 2025
Supply-demand imbalances and inventory pressures have driven down prices and negatively impacted the operational performance of several listed Chinese PV companies that released their 2025 interim forecasts this week.
July 16, 2025
ABB has announced that its 2,000V OTDC is the first switch-disconnector of this size to receive certification from UL Solutions.
July 16, 2025
US IPP Geronimo Power has started construction at its 250MW Portage Solar project in its home state of Wisconsin.
July 16, 2025
IPP Cero Generation and developer Enso Energy have reached financial close on a 360MW solar-plus-storage portfolio of projects in the UK.
July 16, 2025
Planning uncertainty and policy instability regarding renewables in Queensland have seen it slip in investment attractiveness, with New South Wales now leading Australia.
July 16, 2025
The New South Wales government has announced AU$26.2 million in funding for several Australian solar PV and battery initiatives.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK