Panasonic Corporation achieves photovoltaic module conversion efficiency of 23.8%

Panasonic Corporation has announced that it has achieved world’s highest photovoltaic module conversion efficiency of 23.8% (aperture area3: 11,562 cm2) at research level. It is a major increase over the previous world record for crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic modules.

Earlier record of the conversion efficiency of a crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module was 22.8%. Back in 2014 Panasonic announced world’s highest conversion efficiency of 25.6% in its silicon heterojunction cells. Together with this, Panasonic holds the world records of conversion efficiency for both crystalline silicon-based solar cells and modules.

The Osaka, Japan-based firm developed a silicon heterojunction structure composed of crystalline silicon substrate and amorphous silicon layers. Since the start of commercial production the firm continuously improved its photovoltaic module HITTM using silicon heterojunction.

The company in a statement said that it achieved the new record by further development of its proprietary heterojunction technology for high-efficiency solar cells and modules adopting a back-contact solar cell structure.

Panasonic said it will continue to pursue technology development of its photovoltaic module HITTM, aimed at realizing higher efficiency, higher reliability and lower costs, and will work towards mass production.