Until now, reports were issued by solar cell manufacturers and research institutions about achieving success in making a prototype of a solar cell that exceeds 21 percentconversion efficiency; however, in the mass production process of 156 x 156mm practical-size advanced solar cells, there are almost no cases that have achieved a conversion efficiency of over 21 percent.

In addition to Shin-Etsu Chemical possessing the technology for the process to mass-produce solar cells with a high conversion efficiency of 21 percent, the technology has the characteristic of being a relatively easy manufacturing process that is applicable to the existing mass production process that is based on screen-printing technology. In other words, by introducing a few additional systems into the existing mass production process, it becomes possible to mass produce solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 21 percent. Another characteristic is that it is a bifacial light-receiving type of solar cell. Because of this characteristic, we can expect greater out put power generation in a strong reflected-light environment such as on snow or on water surfaces. In addition, because it is possible to freely orient the planes to constitute a solar panel module, the module exhibits high performance, particularly in areas where snow and sand fall and pile up on the module.

For more information, visit www.shinetsu.co.jp/en.