New solar cell efficiency records set by IMEC, SI reports

Interesting article alert! 

Our sister publication Semiconductor International is reporting that at SEMICON Europa this week new efficiency records for thin-wafer silicon and germanium solar cells have been reported by Belgian R&D consortium IMEC. 

According to the article by SI Editor in Chief Pete Singer, IMEC realized an efficiency of 17.4 percent for its thin-wafer silicon solar cells by using its industrial passivated emitter and rear cells (i-PERC) process. By using the i-PERC process as a method to passivate the rear side and create local contact, efficiencies above 20 percent are definitely within reach, IMEC reported in the article.