This article reviews the development of passivated emitter and post-cell (PERC) silicon solar cells in the 80s of the 20th century, which set some efficiency records but had not yet been commercially applied at the time. With the widespread development of suitable manufacturing processes, materials, and production tools, PERC solar cells are now poised to become the dominant commercial solar cell. With photovoltaic (PV) itself on the verge of becoming a major energy generating technology, PERC has a global impact in energy production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Assuming an average annual growth rate of 25% in PV installations, PV GHG emissions reductions will reach around 5% in 2022, including 2%, with higher expected in the later 2020s. This review focuses on the development of PERC in the 80s of the last century. Compiled by Chen Jiaoyun
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The development of PERC builds on early work in the development of high-efficiency silicon solar cell technology at UNSW and elsewhere. The parallel development of high-performance IBCs and bifacial cells has many common features, including high-life wafer processing, dielectric passivation of most of the two cell surfaces, small-area metal contacts, and back-surface reflectors.
There is a 25-year gap between the development of PERC and its widespread commercial adoption. As the cost of cells as a percentage of the total cost of PV systems continues to decline, there has recently been a strong drive for more efficient cells. During this time, many people and companies have developed technologies that allow low-cost commercial manufacturing of PERCS. The closeness of the current PERC process and the old Al-BSF process allows for a smooth and rapid commercial transition to PERC.
