Next Generation Silicon Solar Cells

This project will develop the next generation of high efficiency silicon solar cells, with advanced electrical contacts based on doped poly-silicon layers, aiming to achieve efficiencies above 26 per cent in mass production.

This project will deliver industrially viable technologies for improved silicon solar cell efficiencies, by developing and evaluating three separate technology pathways based on doped-poly-silicon contacts; ultra-thin poly-silicon films, localised poly-silicon contacts, and transparent poly-silicon contacts. Defect engineering will also be applied to investigate and mitigate efficiency limiting defects in industrial silicon wafers.

The project aims to achieve a cell efficiency of at least 26.5 per cent on prototype cells in R&D, and average efficiency of 26 per cent in pilot production by the end of the 3-year R&D phase, and a scale-up to mass production in the subsequent 2-year commercialisation phase with a demonstrated average efficiency of 26 per cent.