Sharp hits 25.09% conversion efficiency for 6-inch HBC solar cell

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The HBC cell on a 6-inch (full-area) wafer is claimed by Sharp to be the highest efficiency reported to date. Image: Sharp

Sharp Solar, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based contract electronics giant Foxconn has reported a verified heterojunction back contact (HBC) solar cell on a large-area (6-inch) N-type monocrystalline wafer with a conversion efficiency of 25.09%.

Sharp Solar said the cell was validated by the Japan Electrical safety & Environment Technology laboratories (JET) and the R&D partially funded by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) under the theme of “Development of Cost Reduction Technology of High Performance, High Reliability Solar Power Generation”.

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Back in 2014, Sharp reported a small-area wafer size conversion efficiency for its HBC cells of 25.1%

The HBC cell on a 6-inch (full-area) wafer is claimed by Sharp to be the highest efficiency reported to date.

13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our fourth PV CellTech conference dedicated to solar manufacturing in the USA. From polysilicon, wafers, ingots, cells and modules, to critical component suppliers including glass and frames, the event connects every stage of the value chain under one roof. PV CellTech USA also brings together investors, innovators, manufacturers and industry stakeholders to collaborate and strengthen domestic solar manufacturing across the United States.

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