IBC-SHJ process integration for mass production (WP6)

Objective
The objectives of WP6 were the upscaling of the tunnel-IBC technology on large area and commercial silicon substrates. The different process steps were developed on large area tools from Meyer Burger and a new prototype of PECVD including the masking technology was manufactured for this purpose.

Results
Solar cells efficiencies above 25% on 92cm² and 24.2% on full area wafer were demonstrated during the project, validating the approach of the masking technology to simplify the manufacturing process of IBC solar cells. More than 2000 IBCs were produced since the beginning of the project, so the targets have been reached. Moreover, the masking technology considerably improved and is now mature to move to the next industrialization step.

Impact
The masking technology together with tunnel-IBC concept open a new path to manufacture high efficiency photovoltaic solar cells and modules at a low cost. The combination of a compact process flow aiming to reduce the fabrication cost together with state-of-the-art efficiencies is a perfect technology assembly.

Lessons learnt
Nextbase has been an extremely challenging project, targeting the top players in photovoltaic performance. The most difficult part of the project has been to identify the key elements making the technology working and unlocking the issues one by one. Finally, I learned that only a good communication and organization with all the partners of the project and excellent and motivated team members allowed reaching these ambitious targets!