High Efficiency Silicon Solar Cell Technology

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The High Efficiency Silicon Solar Cell Technology project is the first to implement laboratory-proven advanced cell process technology at the Solar Industrial Research Facility (SIRF) at UNSW.Key resultsThis project enabled the mass production of stable, high-efficiency PERC solar cells on both multi- and mono-crystalline silicon wafers. Highlights included:the creation of commercial tools for inline application of the advanced hydrogenation processes;a comprehensive model for the behaviour of hydrogen in silicon and its response to solar cell processing;the development of rapid testing techniques; anda significant contribution to the international light-induced-degradation testing standards.The work studied all forms of crystalline silicon material that in 2020 represented 95% of all cells produced globally. The first phase (2013-2017) developed and transferred to industry new manufacturing techniques to improve the output power and stability of silicon cells. The second phase (2017-2021) continued the commercialisation of these techniques, adapting them to a wider range of solar cell materials and applying them to solve a new form of light-induced degradation.Fundamental studies carried out in the project created an understanding of how hydrogen behaves in silicon wafers and how it should be controlled to achieve the optimal processing outcomes. New processes to rapidly test stability and to improve the long-term performance of PERC cells were developed and patented.As a result of this work, PV panels deployed in systems in Australia and around the world are now more stable and provide higher output power for longer periods of time.

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