Extending greenwashing a little further and expectantly adding another aspect i.e. solarwashing to it, various companies and researchers for decades have been coming up with claims of having developed the world’s most efficient silicon crystalline solar cells . This time, Sanyo declares that it has developed a genuine, crystalline solar cell touting 23% solar energy conversion efficiency. Dubbed as HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) cells, this single thin layer of crystalline silicon, slotted in between two layers of first-rate ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers does the trick. Thus, the layers, while improving the quality of the heterojunction allows more sunlight to creep in. Reduced resistance optical absorption also consents to the enhanced conversion rate.
Schematic Diagram:
Other Specs:
– Open circuit voltage (Voc): 0.729V;
– Short circuit current (Isc): 39.5mA/cm2;
– Fill factor (FF): 80.0%;
– Cell energy conversion efficiency: 23.0%;
– Cell size: 100 cm2 or more.
Previous Claim:
The fact that the University of New South Wales’ ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence had announced achieving 25% efficiency last year and it clearly falsifies Sanyo’s big talks. So, it still needs to surpass the previous record. Also, any declaration on improving its own record by 0.7% would have been much more sensible and worthy of consideration.
Via: Green Car Congress