GCL-SI hits 20.6% efficiency for its multicrystalline PERC solar cells

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Having already begun the process in February, which has achieved average cell efficiency of 20.1%, GCL-SI will continue its efforts to scale-up the mass production of PERC. Source: GCL-SI

China-based PV manufacturer GCL System Integration Technology (GCL-SI) has broken its own solar cell average efficiency for its self-developed PERC cells in mass production by utilizing Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) technology – reaching 20.6% from 20.1% in February.

“We have now effectively resolved the issue of multicrystalline PERC cell degradation and power loss,” said Zhang Chun, head of GCL-SI's R&D cell team. “Through proper regeneration annealing processing, an additional absolute efficiency gain up to 0.15% can be reached. Furthermore, the LID results show properly treated cells have significant improvement in degradation behaviour with less than 1% relative efficiency loss.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

“GCL-SI will further advance towards the goal of realising an average efficiency of 20.5% and a maximum efficiency of somewhere between 20.8% and 21% in 2017,” he added.

The company recently showcased its ‘black silicon’ multicrystalline modules, its latest mono PERC offerings and dual-glass products as well as energy storage systems at Intersolar Europe. Black silicon is well-known for its extremely low reflectance and low absorption of some kinds of photovoltaic applications. GCL-SI has taken the lead in the integration of all three existing methods – additive direct texturing, metal assisted chemical etching (MACE), and RIE – thus making massive manufacturing a reality in terms of cost reduction and efficiency gain.

GCL-SI will continue its efforts to scale-up the mass production of PERC solar cells. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

October 7, 2025
Econergy will acquire 100% stake in the 155MW Ratesti solar project in Romania, further expanding its European renewable energy portfolio.
October 7, 2025
Juniper Green Energy through its subsidiary Juniper Green Sigma Eight has signed a 70MW power purchase agreement with renewable energy giant Tata Power. 
October 7, 2025
OpenSolar has secured US$13.1 million in equity financing from technology investors, including Titanium Ventures, Google and others.
October 7, 2025
The government of Victoria, Australia, has launched the an incentive scheme to encourage businesses to install rooftop solar installations.
Premium
October 6, 2025
Talon PV aims to be the first US company to safely manufacture TOPCon cells at scale, backed by European technology and a crucial First Solar licensing deal.
October 6, 2025
Indian infrastructure company focused on rooftop and ground-based solar power installations, PVV Infra has secured solar power orders worth INR7.9 billion (US$90 million) through two of its subsidiaries. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland