DuPont Microcircuit Materials (DuPont) and JA Solar Holdings (JA Solar), recently collaborated to achieve a reported 19.4 percent solar cell efficiency. The new JA Solar Cypress solar module is made with the most advanced DuPont Solamet photovoltaic metallization paste materials.

Advances in Solamet metallizations have doubled the efficiency of solar cells over the last 12 years, and are expected to continue to help the industry in its efforts to reach a new goal of 22 percent efficiency in 2015.

"JA Solar is committed to the research and development of next generation solar technologies to further reduce system cost and significantly enhance energy conversion efficiency," said Liu Yong, chief technology officer, JA Solar.

"DuPont is a company with profound knowledge of materials science and technology that also is committed to help the industry grow and exceed grid parity. These values make this a successful collaboration. Using the highest efficiency pastes from DuPont, advanced cell manufacturing processes from JA Solar and our common determination, we were able to achieve an extraordinary result. We look forward to offering the new high-power Cypress panel, and future generations of products our breakthrough technologies can enable."

JA Solar's new Cypress solar panels are made with monocrystalline solar cells and an advanced diffusion process. The most advanced Solamet photovoltaic metallization paste from DuPont was the preferred choice because it helps to reduce recombination at the interface with the solar cell that produces optimal conversion efficiency in a conventional cell manufacturing process without additional capital investment.

Because of their unique chemistry, the most advanced Solamet photovoltaic metallization paste materials have exceeded expectations in both monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cell technologies, and can enable enhanced lightly doped emitter (LDE) technology that has the potential to take efficiency to the next level. The pastes also are designed for fine line printing and can help to improve adhesion by as much as 15 percent.

"DuPont has consistently innovated with Solamet metallization pastes to advance efficiency and lower costs for manufacturers, and our work with JA Solar is a prime example of how collaborations continue to spark creativity," said Peter Brenner, Asia Pacific photovoltaics business manager, DuPont Microcircuit Materials.

"Providing materials that enable our customers' most clever designs is where we excel, and it is apparent in the efficiency of the new Cypress module."