Transfer of buried contact cell laboratory sequences into commercial production

The buried contact solar cell was developed at the University of New South Wales in the mid-1980's as a practical way incorporating contemporary silicon solar cell developments into commercial cell processing sequences. It has since become an effective vehicle for transferring both past and subsequent cell efficiency improvements into commercial production. With the installation of a 550 kWp system using this technology in Toledo, it has become one of the most successful new photovoltaic technologies to be transferred into a commercial setting, in terms of product deployed. This paper traces the history of this commercialization effort and gives a brief description of technology transfer procedures. Recent developments which may even more favourably impact future commercialization efforts are also outlined.