Many Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers in 2014 upgraded their production lines for P-type monocrystalline silicon solar cells to produce PERC (passivated emitter and rear cell) P-type monocrystalline solar cells due to emerging demand for such PERC solar cells, but have temporarily stopped expansion of PERC P-type monocrystalline solar cell production capacity because orders have been short of original expectations, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
Taiwan-based makers' combined PERC P-type production capacity accounted for 10% of their total solar cell production capacity at the end of 2014, the sources noted. Orders for PERC P-type solar cells mainly come from the US and Japan, the sources indicated.
The temporary stoppage of adding PERC P-type production capacity is also because there has been quite strong demand for P-type polycrystalline solar cells with a high energy conversion rate of 17.8%, the sources said. Considering that upgrades to production of PERC P-type monocrystalline solar cells entail additional investment and are technologically risky in yield rates, Taiwan-based makers prefer production of 17.8% P-type polycrystalline models using existing equipment, the sources indicated.
Energy conversion rates stand at 17.2-18.0% for P-type polycrystalline solar cells, 18.0-19.0% for P-type monocrystalline models and about 20% for PERC P-type monocrystalline models, the sources said.
