How are PV solar cells made?

The manufacturing process of PV solar cells necessitates specialized equipment, each contributing significantly to the final product’s quality and efficiency: Silicon Ingot and Wafer Manufacturing Tools: These transform raw silicon into crystalline ingots and then slice them into thin wafers, forming the substrate of the solar cells.

How are solar panels produced?

The production of solarpanels can be divided into two different technologies: wafer-based and thin film. In wafer-based solar cell production, the first vacuum step lies the manufacturing of the silicon wafers.

What are the technologies used in thin film solar cell production?

In thin film solar cell production, two major technologies exist: CIGS (Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenium) and CdTe (Cadmium, Tellurium). Both active layer stacks are applied in a vacuum coater in several process steps. Once again, the PVD TCO coating is sputtered on the front and backside of the layer stack.

How are wafer-based solar cells made?

In wafer-based solar cell production, the first vacuum step lies the manufacturing of the silicon wafers. These are cut out of mono- or polycrystalline ingots, which are produced under vacuum in DSS or Czochralski crystal growing processes (for more details see crystal pulling).

What equipment is used to make solar cells?

Silicon Ingot and Wafer Manufacturing Tools: These transform raw silicon into crystalline ingots and then slice them into thin wafers, forming the substrate of the solar cells. Doping Equipment: This equipment introduces specific impurities into the silicon wafers to create the p-n junctions, essential for generating an electric field.

What are automatic and semi-automatic solar cell production systems?

Automatic and semi-automatic systems are driven by SVCON control system that can be connected to Ethernet network and thus can be easily integrated with solar cell production equipment on one side and manufacturing execution system on the other side to provide eficient production control.