20% efficient photovoltaic module

Describes the first 20% efficient flat-plate photovoltaic module ever reported. The 743-cm/sup 2/ module is based on large-area PERL silicon cells (passivated emitter rear locally diffused) of average unencapsulated efficiency of 21.3%, giving an independently confirmed module energy conversion efficiency of 20.6% under standard test conditions. The module also shows a very low temperature coefficient of performance increasing its performance advantage over standard silicon modules at increased temperature. Also reported is an independently confirmed efficiency of 21.6% for a 46 cm/sup 2/ cell of the type used in the module, the highest efficiency ever reported for a cell of this size.>