Sharp says it will continue to work to achieve higher conversion efficiency, as well as improving power generating costs in order to contribute to the development of renewable energy.

Sharp has set a new efficiency record for a full size (six inch) silicon solar cell. A conversion efficiency of 25.09%, confirmed by JET, was achieved using a heterojunction structure – with an amorphous silicon layer on the surface of the monocrystalline cell – and a back-contact structure.

These technologies are utilized in Sharp’s Black Solar modules. Sharp says it will now work towards achieving even higher conversion efficiencies. This efficiency milestone was achieved with support from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Organization.

Following a downturn in Japan’s solar market, where Sharp previously saw most of its module sales, the company has moved its ambitions downstream, where it is developing several large-scale projects in South East Asia, including a 48 MW power plant in Vietnam.

Popular content

The new efficiency record comes as the industry is beginning to show an interest in heterojunction (HJT) technology beyond niche high efficiency applications.

Enel subsidiary, 3SUN is in the process of converting its amorphous silicon factory in Sicily to produce bifacial HJT modules, and Russian module producer, Hevel made a similar move last year, and now plans to increase the capacity of its fab in Novocheboksarsk by the end of 2018.