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Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:32:36 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: Press Release - Schmid Group - Leading Production Equipment Supplier
From: Woon-Hong Jung <jung.woonh...@googlemail.com>
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SCHOTT Solar and SCHMID Group
lift PERC Efficiency Records to Values
of up to 21%

=20

    New record results demonstrate successful technology transfer between t=
he two partners
    20.74% PERC cell with SCHMIDS APCVD Al2O3-Passivation
    21.0% PERC cell with optimized screen-printed silver contacts

=20

SCHOTT Solar and the SCHMID Group demonstrate the successful transfer of th=
e latest developments of SCHOTT Solar's passivated rear side contact techno=
logy by achieving new efficiency records for so called PERC solar cells. Us=
ing SCHMID's new APCVD manufacturing equipment to apply a rear side aluminu=
m oxide passivation layer and employing SCHOTT Solar's improved emitter tec=
hnology a cell efficiency of 20.74% was reached. By further optimization of=
 the screen-printed front side metallization, the world's first 21% efficie=
nt industrial size 156mm x 156mm p-type Cz-Si solar cell was manufactured a=
t SCHOTT Solar. Both efficiency values are independently confirmed by ISE C=
alLab in September 2012.

"These results, achieved by simple process sequences developed by our exper=
ienced team, impressively demonstrate the potential to reach more than 21% =
cell efficiency using cost effective next generation manufacturing technolo=
gies," Dr. Axel Metz, Director of Solar Cell Development at SCHOTT Solar st=
ates. "Moreover, all steps are available in multiple process options as sho=
wn by our cells with electroplated NiCu front contacts reaching top efficie=
ncies of 20.9%. This offers great flexibility for the implementation in ind=
ustrial mass production," he adds.

Dr. Christian Buchner, Vice President of SCHMID's cell business unit, point=
s out that the cell concept is based on industry established technology and=
 reaches the same efficiency potential as other technologies like, for exam=
ple HJT but with lower conversion costs.
Key features of the new record cells

    Commercially available 156 mm x 156 mm p-type Czochralski wafers
    Industrial dielectric rear side passivation technology
    Improved emitter technology
    Optimised front side metallization

=20
About PERC

PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) is a technique on backside passi=
vation of crystalline silicon solar cells that SCHOTT Solar has further dev=
eloped for use in industrial mass production and recently licensed to the S=
CHMID Group. Improvement of the backside alone can already increase efficie=
ncy by a full percentage point. The technique can be applied to various typ=
es of wafer materials like monocrystalline and polycrystalline, and also qu=
asimono. It can also be combined with high-efficiency technologies for the =
front sides of cells to open up even greater potential for further increase=
s in efficiency. These also include the selective emitter technology and ad=
vanced metallization techniques offered by the SCHMID Group for complete PE=
RC cell production lines as well as multi busbar module production.



http://www.schmid-group.com/en/press-corner-news/press-releases/p107/schott=
-solar-and-schmid-lift-perc-efficieny-to-up-to-21.html