Trina Solar lab reaches 22.61% for p-type mono c-Si cell

Trina Solar Ltd (NYSE:TSL) has achieved 22.61% conversion efficiency for a p-type mono-crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cell, the Chinese photovoltaics (PV) maker said Monday.

The result was reached at the State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of China (SKL PVST). Trina says this marks the highest efficiency level to date for a PERC cell made using a low-cost industrial process on a large-area p-type mono-crystalline substrate.

The total area efficiency of 22.61% for the 243.23 sq cm cell has been confirmed by the Fraunhofer ISE CalLab.

“We want to demonstrate all the possibilities of PERC technology on an industrial scale, and to approach as close as possible to the 25% efficiency level that was achieved by solar researchers at The University of New South Wales in the laboratory more than 17 years ago,” said Pierre Verlinden, Chief Scientist of Trina Solar.

In 2015 Trina reached 22.13% efficiency for a similar cell as part of its technology development efforts, and in the summer of 2016 it said its production lines were able to make such PERC solar cells in large volume with an average efficiency of 21.12%.

The new record-setting PV cell was fabricated on a boron-doped Cz-Si substrate with a low-cost industrial process of advanced PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) technology that integrates back surface passivation, front surface advanced passivation and anti-LID (Light Induced Degradation) technologies.

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