REC PERC Technology Milestone

• REC Solar of Norway has achieved 20.21% average solar cell efficiency for multicrystalline cells
• It has developed a process to go into mass production for these cells, based on PERC technology
• As of November 2016, it will use the process at its production lines in Singapore
• The world record for multicrystalline PERC cells is being held by Hanwha Q Cells at 20.7%

Vertically-integrated solar panel manufacturer REC has announced that it has achieved an average solar cell efficiency of 20.21%, with the best cell reaching 20.47%. It was measured for a batch of cells by an in-house tester with an external calibration cell.

The company says it has developed a process to help produce these multicrystalline solar cells on a mass scale. The higher cell efficiency will capture more sunlight and convert it into energy, leading to higher output from solar installations. The cells are based on PERC technology, a way to improve cell efficiencies by around 1% compared to standard crystalline cell technology.

Steve O'Neil CEO of REC, said, "Panels with REC TwinPeak technologies already boasted leading efficiencies in their class. These latest, even higher efficiency values will create new generations of premium quality REC products that deliver the greatest value to our customers worldwide."

RECwill be using its new process at its production lines in the integrated manufacturing facility located at Singapore from November 2016 onwards.

A recent report on PERC cells by TaiyangNews providing an overview on the technology showed that efficiencies for PERC quickly improved in recent months with Hanwha Q Cells holding the record for multicrystalline technology at 20.7% (see Why Solar Cell Production Is All About PERC), in June 2016 it presented a world-record 60-cell PERC module with 19.5% efficiency.