Schmid has cited research-based evidence that it says demonstrates that light-induced degradation in PERC cells with aluminum oxide passivation is 6% greater than standard cells. The company also claims that PERT cell technology does not exhibit light-induced degradation.
Because of this dual affect, Schmid argues that significant performance benefits in the field are delivered through PERT cells as opposed to multicrystalline PERC.
The company points to findings published at the EU PVSEC conference in 2012, which does raise questions as to the timing of today's release: "Light Induced Degradation of Rear Passivated mc-Si Solar Cells by K. Ramspeck et al.
Schmid says that its APCVD tooling can be used for PERT cell manufacturing, which it says can be produced for the same costs as multi PERC. An additional advantage, the company says, is that the PERT cells can be encased in semi or fully transparent encapsulate, allowing for bifacial cells and modules to be produced. Schmid also claims its PERT technology, delivered through its APCVD tooling, can deliver consistent coating quality at a high throughput and at low cost.
Multicrystalline PERC technology is currently being deployed by a number of manufacturers, although PERC mono is understood to be more commonplace. While the findings distributed by Schmid today point to a relative increase in light-induced degradation in some PERC technologies, that is not to say it applied to all.
There are range of aluminum oxide deposition methods alongside of APCVD.
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