PERC: Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell

The PERC architecture essentially enables to improve light capture near the rear surface and to
optimize electrons capture. As shown below, Rear side of PERC has extra passivation layer which
soaks up scattered and reflected (indirect) solar rays to improve efficiency of cells. With the current
state of the technology, it is possible to achieve up to 3% absolute gain in efficiency.
 Mono vs Poly Crystalline Cells

Mono Crystalline Manufacturing Process:

Monocrystalline solar cells require a very high purity level of silicone. Therefore quartzite gravel or crushed
quartz is placed into an electric arc furnace where the end result is molten silicone. A rod of impure silicone is
then passed through a heated zone several times to literally drag out the impurities. The end result is pure
silicone, with the other end of the rod impure silicone, which is removed.
They are made through the Czochralski method where a silicon crystal ‘seed’ is placed in a vat of molten
silicon. The seed is then slowly drawn up with the molten silicon forming a solid crystal structure around the
seed known as an ingot. The ingot of solid crystal silicon that is formed is then finely sliced ingot what is
known as a silicon wafer. This is then made into a cell.
The Czochralski process results in large cylindrical ingots. Four sides are cut out of the ingots to make silicon
wafers. A significant amount of the original silicon ends up as waste.

Poly-Crystalline Manufacturing Process:

Polycrystalline also start as a silicon crystal ‘seed’ placed in a vat of molten silicon. However, rather than draw
the silicon crystal seed up as with Monocrystalline the vat of silicon is simply allowed to cool. This is what
forms the distinctive edges and grains in the solar cell.
 BIPV: Building Integrated Photovoltaics
BIPV is the integration of photovoltaic into the building parts. The PV modules serve the dual function of building skin
that is it is replacing conventional building materials and power generator. The incremental cost of photovoltaic is
reduced by avoiding the cost of conventional materials, and likewise its life cycle cost can also be improved. BIPV system
often has lower cost than PV system.
 Hetero Junction Technology: HJT
 Instead of standard cell manufacturing with P-type silicon, HJT uses N-Type silicon with 6 steps process to
improve efficiency. HJT has higher efficiency than standard Mono Crystalline Cells.
 As shown below, The relatively straightforward HJT production process takes place at low temperatures and
requires fewer production steps compared to other high efficiency designs.
 An important technological advantage of HJT cells is the excellent surface passivation of a-Si:H which results in
high open-circuit voltages and high cell efficiencies. The superior temperature coefficient of TC = -0.20%/K
ensures higher energy yield during module operating conditions.
 Low temperature processing (250 degree) saves energy during manufacturing, prevents bulk degradation and
enables the use of thin wafers.

Comparison of manufacturing process of Standard cell, PERC and HJT: