DEK Solar and ISFH develop Silver Cost Reduction
During the fourth annual Metallization Workshop in Constance, Germany, DEK Solar and the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) presented findings from a recent research effort that provides insight for cell metallization cost reduction strategies. The work focused on utilizing the most advanced stencil and screens technology to facilitate fine line deposition techniques to effectively lower silver paste consumption while maintaining cell efficiency rates.
The two-day Metallization Workshop attracted close to 200 solar cell metallization specialists from around the world. The program consisted of over 25 presentations within seven sessions, with the last session centred on fine line printing during which ISFH presented the findings from their recent research collaboration with DEK Solar.
As the solar industry begins to recover from two quite challenging years, lowering costs while maintaining relatively high cell efficiencies is a critical element to continued market success and expanded solar adoption. The DEK Solar and ISFH paper, entitled "Record Low Ag paste Consumption of 67.7 mg with Dual Print", summarized the analysis of single print, dual print and print-on-print fine line printing techniques for silicon solar cells. The research resulted in the successful reduction of silver paste consumption from a current industry average of 110 to 150 mg per wafer down to 67.7 mg per wafer "“ one of the lowest silver paste consumption volumes ever reported -- using a dual print and dual paste approach.
"The outstanding achievement of a high-efficiency PERC solar cell with a record low silver paste consumption of just 67.7 mg marks an impressive improvement with respect to materials cost reduction," explains ISFH R&D Group Leader Dr. Thorsten Dullweber. "We very much appreciate the excellent collaboration with DEK Solar. The company's printing and process expertise combined with our solar cell know-how continues to deliver tangible solar technology advances."
Reduced material volumes is certainly significant for controlling costs in challenging times, but is a strategy that should be effectively deployed for cost containment even when the market is strong. "While our company is currently seeing an upturn in production and capacity utilization, cost preservation strategies such as the reduction in silver paste use should always be employed," notes Dr. Ansgar Mette, Senior Manager Metallization at Hanwha Q CELLS, who attended the Metallization Workshop. "In the past, a reduction in paste volume on the front side likely meant lower cell efficiencies. However, the latest encouraging work from DEK Solar and ISFH demonstrates that a best of both worlds scenario is possible. "
