While many Taiwan-based P-type monocrystalline silicon solar cell makers have introduced PERC (passivated emitter and rear cell) process to increase energy conversion rates from 18-19% to 19-20% and hiked quotes by 10.9-11.4% from US$0.44-0.46/W to US$0.49-0.51/W, market demand for P-type PERC monocrystalline solar cells is relatively low, according to industry sources.
PERC process can also be applied to produce P-type polycrystalline silicon solar cells to increase energy conversion rates from an average of 17.5% to 18-19% and prices from US$0.34-0.35/W to US$0.48/W, the sources said. However, P-type PERC polycrystalline solar cells have the same energy conversion rates as P-type monocrystalline solar cells without PERC and therefore are less attractive to buyers due to higher prices, the sources indicated.
Currently, P-type PERC monocrystalline solar cells are mostly used in rooftop PV systems in the Japan and Europe markets, the sources said.