biPERC silicon solar cells enabling bifacial applications for industrial solar cells with passivated rear sides

Bifacial solar modules are expected to increase their market share in the coming years. To date, most bifacial cells in production and under research are realized on n-type silicon substrates. However, p-type silicon has been dominating photovoltaic industry, partly due to its lower cost. In this work, we present an approach to combine bifacial applications with the industrial p-type passivated emitter and rear (PERC) structure: a bifacial PERC cell (biPERC). Simulation results are presented that showcase a high potential for bifacial gains of the biPERC cell. First experimental results of the biPERC concept on large-area multicrystalline silicon substrates yield a monofacial efficiency of 17.8%. The biPERC cell, therefore, is an easy-to-apply modification to a PERC route and enables higher output powers due to bifacial applicability.