Recent improvements in silicon solar cell and module efficiency

An overview of recent progress in silicon solar cell research at the University of New South Wales, Australia, is given. Recent results include the demonstration of 24% cell efficiency using the passivated emitter, rear-locally diffused (PERL) cell structure and an efficiency approaching 18% for polycrystalline cells. An AM0 efficiency above 20% for the former cells has been measured for the first time at NASA-Lewis, at SERI, and at Sandia National Laboratories. Initial batches of cells designed for concentrated sunlight have given efficiencies of up to 26.7%. In the polycrystalline cell area, an efficiency approach 18% has been demonstrated. Recent emphasis has been on investigating innovative approaches for texturing polycrystalline cells.