‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Solar has reported a new solar cell world record conversion efficiency for monocrystalline silicon PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology of 24.06%, which has been verified by the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Product Quality (CPVT) in China.
LONGi Solar had previously reported verified record PERC cell conversion efficiencies of 23.6 percent in February 2018. In August 2018, LONGI Solar achieved the highest efficiency of P-type mono-PERC bifacial solar cells in China with a conversion efficiency of 23.11%.
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CPVT tested monocrystalline silicon PERC cells in standard wafer dimension (156.75×156.75mm2) (M2) provided by LONGi Solar. The sample cells were measured under standard test conditions for current-voltage characteristics as a function of load.
“LONGi Solar has made great strides in setting world record PERC solar cell conversion efficiencies as we demonstrate the continuing ability to provide high-efficiency products to the global solar market,” stated Li Wenxue, President of LONGi Solar. “Our latest record solar cell conversion efficiencies also endorse the success of our R&D investments, which have set the benchmark for the industry in recent years.”
“This is the first time that the efficiency of monocrystalline PERC solar cells in commercial dimensions has exceeded 24 percent,” added Dr. Li Hua, LONGi Solar, Vice President of Cell R&D. “In the last three consecutive years LONGi Solar has developed three generations of ‘Hi-MO’ products based on PERC technology, which are setting the efficiency and reliability benchmark of high-efficiency PERC technology within the industry.”
There has been a rapid wave of PERC cell record breaking. In October 2017, LONGi Solar broke the world-record efficiency of monocrystalline silicon PERC cell with commercial wafer dimensions with 22.71%, while the original record that had been broken by Fraunhofer-ISE with 22.61%.
In the same month, in accordance with the MBB (Multi Busbar) technology, LONGi Solar had increased the efficiency to 23.26%, again tested by CPVT, which was the first to exceed the 23% efficiency barrier.
According to PV Tech's annual analysis of R&D spending in the upstream solar manufacturing sector, LONGi, R&D expenditure increased from US$89.23 million in 2016, to US$175.5 million in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 96.67% from US$89.2 million in 2016, topping 6.77% of revenue, the highest in the sector.