Trina Solar Has Achieved New Conversion Efficiency Records For P-Type & N-Type Silicon Solar Cells

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New conversion efficiency world records for high-efficiency p-type and n-type silicon solar cells were recently set by researchers at Trina Solar’s State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of China, according to recent reports.

Trina solar

The new p-type mono-crystalline silicon solar cell conversion efficiency record of 21.40% was set via an industrial Cz wafer (156×156 mm2) — one that integrates advanced technologies such as back surface passivation and local back surface field. This new record was confirmed by Fraunhofer ISE CalLab in Germany.

A new record of 20.53% (156×156 mm2) was set, as well, for p-type multi-crystalline silicon solar cells — using the same technologies and integrative practices. This record was confirmed by the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Product Quality in Wuxi, China.

These records were both set via silicon solar cells with passivated rear surface and local contact, on 6″ substrates and fabricated with an industrial process — commonly known as iPERC cells.

As far as the new n-type mono-crystalline silicon solar cell conversion efficiency record, this new record of 22.9% (on a 156×156 mm2 n-type Cz wafer) was made via “an Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) structure and industrially feasible production process” and was independently tested by Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories.


 

The press release provides a bit more:

To the company’s knowledge, these total-area efficiency results, independently verified by external laboratories, affirm these cells to be in their categories the most efficient silicon solar cells made by industrially feasible production processes on 156mm x 156mm substrates for both p-type (mono & multi) and n-type (mono) substrates that have been tested anywhere in the world to date.

“We are very pleased to announce these new efficiency results achieved by Trina Solar’s researchers at the State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology,” stated Dr Pierre Verlinden, Vice President and Chief Scientist of Trina Solar. “Though these technologies are not currently in production, they will be part of our future commercialized Honey Plus and IBC products. Our aim is to continuously integrate technological developments into our PV products, which are currently commercialized or would be in the future, to further drive down the product cost, strengthen our competitive advantages and provide affordable solar power to the world. We believe that innovation is core to Trina’s sustainable growth and long-term success. Our focus remains on developing innovative and cutting-edge solar power products and technologies to strengthen our leading position as a premium PV manufacturer.”

Related:

Trina Solar Sets P-Type Monocrystalline PV Module Efficiency World Record

Trina Solar To Open Solar PV Module Manufacturing Hub In India

Top Solar Module Manufacturers of 2013

Solar Cells: Solar Cell Model & What Affects Solar Cell Performance & Efficiency

How Solar Cells Work — Components & Operation Of Solar Cells

More news on Trina Solar.

Trina Solar’s website.

Image Credit: Trina Solar


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

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