The demand-dominated solar market has been shifting towards solar cells with high conversion efficiencies. Compared with mainstream polycrystalline solar products, monocrystalline solar cells can demonstrate higher efficiencies. The three new technologies, heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) supported by Japan-based Sanyo, interdigitated back contact (IBC) supported by US-based Sunpower and metal wrap through (MWT) supported by the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN) are likely to become the next step for solar firms to develop.
The requested average conversion efficiency was pushed up from 16.4% in the second quarter to 16.6% in the third quarter. By the fourth quarter, the average conversion efficiency need to reach 16.8% for the firms to stay competitive. Market observers estimate that by 2012 solar cell firms will be asked to have products with average conversion efficiency of 17%.
Industry sources indicated that the three technologies are well-known among industry players but firms adopting any one of them need to consider equipment costs per watt, technology differentiation and issues of patent infringement. These technologies are more complicated than production process of mainstream polycrystalline products. However, as oversupply problem continues to cloud over the solar market, these alternative technologies are seen as ways to defeat competitions.
The highest range of conversion efficiencies that can be achieved by these three technologies is between 20-23%. Once a firm can successfully mass produce such products, the solar market will be hit with more turbulence.
The three technologies change the structure of the solar cells. The main concept is to make the surface absorb the most sunlight possible by wiping out any possible light blockage items.
Due to the relatively complex production methods, the monocrystalline sector has yet to see any dominant player. But as many newcomers have been ambitious in developing this area, technological breakthroughs should not be too far down the future.
Source:digitimes