The Belgian research institute IMEC and the Dutch electroplating equipment supplier Meco have developed a new large-area (156 x 156 mm2) i-PERC-type solar cell that is suitable for solar energy, as well as industrial application grade nickel/copper (nickel / Copper) Front contact plating technology. It was confirmed by Fraunhofer ISE CalLab that nickel/copper plated cells were used on PZ-CZ-Si material to achieve an average efficiency of 20.5% and a maximum efficiency of 20.7%. "These results not only show a considerable improvement compared to state-of-the-art screen-printed PERC batteries, but our cost of ownership analysis also indicates a clear advantage in the financial sector," said IMEC's ​​crystalline silicon photovoltaic division. Director Jozef Szlufcik said. "Our results show that nickel/copper plating technology is one of the new technologies that can simultaneously improve the efficiency of PERC solar cells and reduce processing costs." The battery was processed in the IMEC solar cell experimental line and deposited with nickel/copper front contact using Meco's in-line plating tool. The metallization of the nickel/copper stack includes UV laser ablation, sequential in-line plating of the metal layer, and contact annealing. C&K MOSAIC , https://www.cnkmosaics.com