Toyota uses Kaneka’s 26.63%-efficient solar cells for electric vehicle – pv magazine International

Japanese chemical firm and photo voltaic module producer Kaneka has introduced that Japan-based automotive and battery producer Toyota Motor Company has chosen it 180cm², 26.63%-efficient crystalline silicon photo voltaic cells with heterojunction and back-contact know-how for deployment in one in every of its electrical autos.

Kaneka stated the cells will likely be used, particularly, within the glass roof of Toyota’s Prius PHEV automotive. “Our photo voltaic cells had been chosen by Toyota to be used in a automotive after their use within the Toyota bZ4X because of the recognition of its curved floor design that allows itself to be mounted on a automotive physique along with the highest conversion effectivity and wonderful exterior design with our proprietary know-how,” Kaneka stated in a press release, noting that the back-contact design with out overhead cables has a glance much like the glass roof of the automotive.

Kaneka’s photo voltaic cell has for a few years been acknowledged as probably the most environment friendly crystalline silicon PV machine developed on the industrial and analysis stage. In November, nevertheless, the Chinese language producer Longi introduced that it had crossed this threshold by attaining an influence conversion effectivity of 26.81% for an undefined heterojunction (HJT) photo voltaic cell. , primarily based on a full-size silicon wafer, in mass manufacturing.

The Japanese producer started supplying bifacial heterojunction photo voltaic modules primarily based on its cell know-how in 2019.

In its newest monetary report printed in February, the corporate stated this prepared to begin the operation of a further manufacturing line for heterojunction PV panels this monetary 12 months to satisfy sturdy demand. “We plan to begin utterly–commonplace supply of in–automotive PV this spring,” it additionally stated.