PERC cell maker is Risen to the challenge

Chinese PERC cell manufacturer Risen Energy says it has reached an average efficiency of more than 22.19% with its 2 GW production line front and rear passivated cells, and has recorded an efficiency peak of 22.51%.

The Ningbo-based high-efficiency cell and module maker was announcing its latest advances today at the Chinese Solar-grade Silicon and PV (CSPV) conference in Xi'an, in China's Shaanxi province.

Risen, which produces double-side passivated PERC cells using atomic layer deposition technology, claims to be the world's first manufacturer to produce such high efficiency cells to a 2 GW scale, and announced further cost-reduction ambitions.

The company says it plans further R&D-linked improvements to its paste and metallization processes, as well as a new structure in its cells, as it bids to further drive down costs as solar power approaches grid parity in the world's largest solar market.

PERC has long been tipped as the solar cell technology that will become dominant, but its high production costs have ensured it has not replaced traditional non-passivated options to date.

Risen Energy is betting on PERC winning in the long term, and in a statement issued at the 14th CSPV show today, pointed to the International Roadmap for PV's prediction single-sided, rear passivation PERC cells are not expected to hit 22% efficiency until 2020.

The Chinese manufacturer added, it plans to put 400 W bifacial PERC modules into mass production next year.