SiOnyx’s Black Silicon process boasts 17%-plus-efficient multicrystalline-silicon PV cells

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

SiOnyx has advised that its patented ultrafast laser texturing technology, Black Silicon, has reached 0.3%, absolute, efficiency growth over typical industry baseline solar cells. The company’s 156mm multicrystalline silicon cells, which are manufactured under a partnership with ISC Konstanz, is said to have attained average absolute efficiencies over 17%.

SiOnyx noted that its Black Silicon technology bolsters the efficiency in thinner wafers. Average efficiencies of 16.9% were realized for 150-micron thick multicrystalline cells that were 20% thinner than wafers in current production.

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

The cells were processed and tested at ISC Konstanz with a standard emitter, screen-printed metal and aluminum back surface field. Black Silicon texturing was completed by utilizing a Coherent Aethon tool with a Talisker picosecond laser.

“These results are further validation of the Black Silicon process and its ability to improve the economics of mainstream solar energy – and the technology is ready now,” commented Stephen Saylor, president and CEO of SiOnyx.  “SiOnyx's single-sided texture achieves significantly lower surface reflectance than industry-standard isotexture to improve cell performance.  We boost infrared performance, thus making SiOnyx Black Silicon a great complement to existing selective emitter technologies.”

The company further mentioned that its process results led to a definite improvement in process uniformity and cited standard deviations for cell efficiency and current being reduced by a factor of two with its Black Silicon.

Read Next

July 10, 2025
German renewables company BayWa r.e. has secured a €3 billion (US$3.5 billion) loan for 'operational initiatives and pipeline expansion.'
July 10, 2025
US renewables developer Invenergy has launched commercial operations of 250MW Fairbanks Solar Energy Center in Sullivan County, Indiana. 
July 10, 2025
US solar residential installer Sunnova has entered into a stalking horse asset purchase agreement with Omnidian for some of its assets.
July 10, 2025
A report published by the US Department of Energy (DOE) this week claims that the previous government’s support for renewable energy could cause blackouts to “increase by 100 times” by 2030.
July 10, 2025
UbiQD has signed a supply agreement with First Solar to supply its fluorescent quantum dot technology for use in the latter’s PV panels.
July 10, 2025
Copenhagen Energy has partnered with Thy-Mors Energi to set up a 100MW PV and BESS project in Ballerum, about 370km from Copenhagen. 

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