Solar-Grids, a subsidiary of Chinese solar cell producer Aiko Solar, has launched what it calls the n-type ABC or All Back Contact solar modules using zero silver with all positive and negative metal contacts on the back of the cell, leaving the front clear of all electrode grid lines.
In an official launch ceremony recently, Aiko Solar introduced its subsidiary and also unveiled its 4 ABC module variants using 54-, 66-, 72- and 78-cells for various end use applications. Maximum mass production efficiency of the modules is cited as 23.5%.
Of the 4 variants, 3 are based on 182 mm wafer sized cells with power output of more than 450W, 600W and 650W. The one with 210mm wafer sized cells can have a power output of over 720W.
The front of the cell is completely black with no electrode grid lines—hence the name Black Hole—thanks to its back-junction back contact structure, ensuring it receives 100% of sunlight. The company claims average efficiency of the cell in mass production reaches up to 25.5%, reported local media.
The makers tout excellent anti-attenuation and temperature coefficient performance of the modules. When compared with the current mainstream p-type modules, the team claims ABC modules increase power generation in the whole life cycle by 11.6%, leading to a balance of system (BOS) cost reduction of over 3%.
A full black look also enhances the aesthetics making it suitable for residential, commercial, building integrated PV (BIPV) and other applications.
Use of silver in solar cells accounts for a significant cost of a module, but there are efforts being made by manufacturers to either bring down the use of silver or eliminate it completely. Aiko claims to have managed to do away with the use of silver for ABC modules. This will bring down the overall cost of solar PV technology.
The company says TUV Rheinland has provided IEC61215 and IEC61730 certifications for the modules.
It is not yet clear when the module will be commercially available. However, the maximum efficiency of that module seems very high. To put things into perspective, our commercial module table ranking has the highest module efficiency at 22.8% – a SunPower cell technology based IBC module from Maxeon, and that is in some distance to the next candidate (see Top Solar Modules Listing – May 2022).
Earlier in May 2022, Aiko Solar had shared that it plans to speed up the construction of ABC n-type solar cell facility with 6.5 GW in Zhuhai, China, targeting commercial operations in Q3/2022 (see Aiko Solar's 2021 Financial Results Out).