Crystalline silicon technology

Crystalline silicon technology currently accounts for almost 95% of the global photovoltaic market (143 GW by 2020). It is based on the use of silicon wafers (150 to 200 microns), cut from large ingots which then undergo various processing stages (diffusion, passivation, contacts, etc.) to produce complete cells with a record efficiency of 26.7% (267 watts per^m2), close to the theoretical efficiency for silicon (29%). We will present the technologies and processes that have led to this remarkable result, and in particular the associated scientific and technological breakthroughs. We are currently witnessing a proliferation of technologies - PERC (passivated contacts), HIT (heterojunction), IBC (interdigitated back contacts) - and new avenues for improvement are the subject of intense research. Life-cycle issues will also be addressed.