Georgia Tech researchers achieve 24.3% efficiency in copper-contacted solar cells

Researchers demonstrated a TOPCon solar cell design using copper instead of expensive silver for rear contacts, matching performance of traditional silver-based cells while potentially reducing manufacturing costs.

First covered Sep 14, 2026 · 12:37 AM PT · 2 articles · no longer in the live window

Georgia Tech researchers achieve 24.3% efficiency in copper-contacted solar cells — Image via pv-magazine.com

Coverage

11d PV Tech Georgia Tech researchers use copper paste in TOPCon solar cells with 24.3% conversion efficiency — Researchers from Georgia Tech have developed TOPCon solar cells that use copper paste with a maximum conversion efficiency of 24.3%.

12d PV Magazine Georgia Tech, Bert Thin Films build 24.3%-efficient copper-contacted TOPCon solar cell via LECO — Georgia Tech-led researchers developed a 24.3%-efficient n-TOPCon solar cell using screen-printed rear copper contacts and LECO, nearly matching a 24.5%…

Primary sources

sciencedirect.com S0038092X26007425 (sciencedirect.com) — cited by 2 of the outlets above

More coverage from around the web

pv-magazine-usa.com U.S. scientists build copper-contacted TOPCon solar cell with 24.3% efficiency - pv magazine USA

nature.com High-concentration silver alloying and steep back-contact gallium grading enabling copper indium gallium selenide solar cell with 23.6% efficiency | Nature Energy

arxiv.org Sub-micron Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cell with efficiency of 18.2% enabled by a hole transport layer

pv-tech.org Bert Thin Films tests copper paste on TOPCon solar cell with 24% conversion efficiency

image-ppubs.uspto.gov Silver solar cell contacts

Appeared in: 2026-09-14 (#1) · 2026-09-15 (#6)

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