The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Photovoltaics Technology Transfer Team, working with solar technology firm Centrotherm, achieved 19.3 per cent efficiency in May 2011 and advanced the record to 19.4 per cent in June.
The previous record for cells created with this process was 18.9 per cent.
Dr Matt Edwards, Program Manager of the Photovoltaics Technology Transfer Team in the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, has said that the record promises to help make solar power more affordable, delivering significant efficiency gains at minimal extra cost.
“The exciting aspect of these records is that we achieved these results in a short time, using an industry-standard silicon wafer and modified industry-standard equipment,” Dr Edwards said.
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The cells were produced using UNSW’s patented Laser Doped Selective Emitter (LDSE) process, which uses a high-powered laser and a light-induced plating process to create ultra-fine metal contacts on the cell surface, leaving more area exposed to light.
The Photovoltaics Technology Transfer Team is now working on double-sided LDSE, which optimises both the front and rear surfaces of a solar cell to deliver efficiencies of up to 22 per cent.
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