22.7 efficient PERL silicon solar cell module with a textured front surface

摘要

This paper describes a solar cell module efficiency of 22.7% independently measured at Sandia National Laboratories. This is the highest ever confirmed efficiency for a photovoltaic module of this size achieved by cells made from any material. This 778-cm/sup 2/ module used 40 large-area double layer antireflection coated PERL (passivated emitter, rear locally-diffused) silicon cells of average efficiency of 23.1%. A textured front module surface considerably improved the module efficiency. Also reported is an independently confirmed efficiency of 23.7% for a 21.6 cm/sup 2/ cell of the type used in the module. Using these PERL cells in the 1996 World Solar Challenge solar car race from Darwin to Adelaide across Australia, Honda's Dream and Aisin Seiki's Aisol III were placed first and third, respectively. Honda also set a new record by reaching Adelaide in four days with an average speed of 90 km/h over the 3010 km course.