ABSTRACT
Under laboratory conditions, with current state-of-the-art technology, it is possible to produce single-crystal silicon solar cells with efficiencies in excess of 24%. However, commercially mass-produced cells are typically only 13–14% efficient. There are many reasons for this; the over-riding one being that, while efficiency can be the major aim for laboratory produced cells, irrespective of cost, complexity of processing or throughput, in general, laboratory techniques are unsuited to industry.
