Keynote speaker: Prof Martin Green – Scientia Professor/Director Of Acap – Unsw | Topic: Silicon Solar Cells: What Comes after PERC?

“Silicon Solar Cells: What Comes after PERC?” Martin A. Green

Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE), University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia 2052

Abstract

Improved silicon cell efficiency has contributed significantly to recent cost reductions, particularly for systems. Accordingly, industry is now transitioning to UNSW PERC cells, with completion expected within 5-10 years, with commercial cell efficiency then approaching 25%.

What comes after this? A silicon wafer-based PERC cell able to capitalize on on-going cost reductions within the mainstream industry, but with a big boost in efficiency by depositing thin-film cells on top to form tandem cells might provide the ultimate PV solution. One overlying cell ultimately can increase 25% efficiency to 35%, two to >40%.

The challenges and potential of implementing such silicon high performance monolithic silicon-based tandem cells will be discussed, including a review of the key contending technologies and a few recent new entries.