R&D pilot line production of multi-crystalline Si solar cells exceeding cell efficiencies of 18%

In this paper we report on a pilot production of multi-crystalline p-type Si cells in the Reiner-Lemoine Research Center at Q-Cells SE. The cells are double-side contacted and feature a lowly doped emitter, a fineline-printed Ag grid in combination with plating as front metallisation and a dielectric passivated rear with local contacts. Using upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) and Poly Si we report on median cell efficiencies > 18% over a whole brick and independently conformed top efficiencies of up to 18.35% (UMG) and 18.45% (Poly) on large cell areas (243 cm2). Furthermore, with a module efficiency of 17.84% on 1.5 m2 we report on a new world record on multi-crystalline large area modules (60 cells). To our knowledge, these are the highest efficiencies on cell level based on UMG Si and on multi-crystalline modules reported so far.