High-efficiency solar cells using HEM silicon

Developments in heat exchanger method (HEM) technology for production of multicrystalline silicon ingot production have led to growth of larger ingots (55 cm square cross section) with lower costs and reliability in production. A single reusable crucible has been used to produce 16 multicrystalline 33 cm square cross section 40 kg ingots, and capability to produce 44 cm ingots has been demonstrated. Large area solar cells of 16.3% (42 cm/sup 2/) and 15.3% (100 cm/sup 2/) efficiency have been produced without optimization of the material production and the solar cell processing.