New and Renewable Energy Centre
NaREC’s research and development, pilot production and consultancy services for photovoltaics are dedicated to meeting the demands of this rapidly growing and highly competitive industry. NaREC is the only independent, commercial crystalline silicon solar cell research and development organisation in the UK. Our internationally recognised team has a twenty year track record for photovoltaics research and development. As specialists in Laser Grooved Buried Contact (LGBC) solar cell technology and manufacturing, the team has achieved and contributed towards world record breaking crystalline silicon solar cell efficiencies and is experienced in the large scale industrial production of solar cells including LGBC and screen printed cells.
NaREC is actively involved in crystalline silicon solar cell technology through a number of national and European projects, being a partner in several major EU and DTI funded research and development technology programmes for photovoltaics. The team also provides confidential consultancy and contract research services to major solar cell manufacturers worldwide.
Key Services
- New cell and module development and prototyping
- Development and trialing of new processing techniques
- Consultancy services for solar cell manufacturing and in-plant troubleshooting
- Design of solar cell production facilities for new projects
- Design, modelling and manufacture of specialist types of solar cell (e.g. concentrators)
- Characterisation services for solar cells and silicon wafers
- Training courses on cell technology
- PV industry and market briefings
- Electrical engineering for grid connection and integrated renewable energy hybrid systems
Key Research and Development Areas
Development of the Laser Grooved Buried Contact (LGBC) high-efficiency cell technology for specific applications including:
- Cells for use in solar concentrator systems operating in the range 2 Suns to 100 Suns
- Cells in non-standard colours and shapes for Building Integrated Photovoltaic applications
- Small high-efficiency cells for compact, high power density modules
Flexible Pilot Manufacturing
NaREC’s pilot line for LGBC cell production provides the flexibility to develop new processes and manufacturing techniques in a controlled environment, before scale-up to high volume production. Process trials and small production runs can be undertaken. Current products include:
- Concentrator cells for applications from 2 Suns to 100 Suns
- Modules up to 2Wp
Case Study
The UK Highways Agency has committed to a £20 million programme to replace over 6500 roadside phones across the motorway and trunk road network in England with new wireless telephones. Each of the emergency roadside telephones, manufactured by GAITronics, will be powered by photovoltaic panels designed and manufactured at NaREC. The high level of efficiency and reliability of the 1.8 Watt solar panels
will ensure a long-term standalone power source for the UK’s emergency roadside telephone network.
Technical Expertise
With over 20 years experience in photovoltaics, NaREC’s team has made many advances in crystalline silicon solar cell technology, particularly in relation to process development of Laser Grooved Buried Contact solar cells. The team has produced world record efficiencies in large area mono- and multi-crystalline silicon solar cells.
The team has a strong background in technology transfer from the laboratory to high volume production and in establishing new manufacturing facilities.
Process and Analysis Techniques
Wafer Processing
Wet chemical and plasma etching
Phosphorous diffusion (POCl3)
Laser patterning/cutting
Wet/dry SiO2 growth
Silicon nitride (low pressure chemical vapour deposition - LPCVD)
Sputter deposition of metals
Electroless metal plating and sintering
Cell Characterisation
Spectral response
LBIC
Ellipsometry (dielectric layer thickness and refractive index)
Spectral reflectance
Solar simulation up to 100 Suns
XRF (metallization analysis)
Wafer Characterisation
Minority carrier lifetime mapping
Impurity analysis (FTIR)
Wafer thickness
Bulk and sheet resistivity mapping