REC and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have partnered to develop high-efficiency solar cells based on n-type monocrystalline wafers.
According to REC, n-type solar cells have a higher efficiency potential and better light-induced degradation performance than traditional p-type solar cells but are more complex to manufacture and traditionally require expensive silver contacts on both sides of the cell.
Fraunhofer ISE says it has developed a high-efficiency cell structure that avoids the use of an expensive silver contact grid on the back of the cell. Instead, this cell structure makes use of a combination of dielectric layers and localized contacts. REC says it will work together with Fraunhofer ISE to translate this technology from lab scale to a full production-ready concept.
