Development of the PERC Solar Cell

Abstract

This paper reviews the development of the passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) silicon solar cell in the 1980s, which set several efficiency records, but was not taken up commercially at the time. Following extensive development of suitable fabrication processes, materials, and production tools, the PERC solar cell is now on track to become the dominant commercial solar cell. Since photovoltaics (PV) itself is on track to become the dominant energy generation technology, the PERC is having a global impact in both energy generation and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Assuming an average growth rate of annual PV installations of 25%, PV mitigation of greenhouse gases will reach about 5% in 2022, including 2% from PERCs, with much higher values expected later in the 2020s. This review focuses on the period of development of the PERC during the 1980s.