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The Topcell Project was established in order to make UNSW Sunswift II a
strong contender for the World Solar Challenge and upcoming races, and to provide
an unprecedented opportunity for hands-on experience to Photovoltaics Engineering
students at UNSW. The Topcell Project aimed to manufacture 6,000 high efficiency Buried
Contact Solar Cells (BCSC), the most efficient solar cells that can be made within a
reasonable budget. The entire project lasted about 3 months and involved approximately
10,000 work-hours.
Topcell Project
This was the first time ever for a solar racing team to manufacture
its own cells. This not only results in a better car but also
gives undergraduate students the opportunity to learn the solar
cell manufacturing process. Undergraduates came out as
substantially more experienced electrical/photovoltaic
engineers, greatly improving their career prospects.
Manufacturing the cells
The Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering at UNSW, where BCSC
technology was first developed, provided the Topcell group with
guidance, expertise and manufacturing facilities. Topsil
Semiconductor Materials, a leading silicon manufacturer based in
Denmark, have also demonstrated their commitment to the
photovoltaics industry by providing the team with the required
floatzone silicon wafers.
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