Solar Cell Texturing – An Important Industry Process

Dec 21 2013

Solar Cell Texturing – An Important Industry Process 5.00/5 (100.00%) 1 vote

The use of alternative energy has long been considered in various industries not just to harness natural energy sources to its optimum potential but as well to promote sustainable development among people. Despite that, the challenge of refining the processes used for these alternative sources continues to linger and still one of the focus of innovators in the manufacturing fields.

In the semiconductor industry, solar cell texturing is one example of a process that is engineered so that solar energy can be harnessed in the most efficient way. In layman’s terms, this process is used for ‘roughening’ of the silicon substrate in order to minimize reflection. The resulting textured substrate can generate more energy as reflection (bouncing of solar energy back into the air) is minimized.

Here are some benefits of solar cell texturing

Efficiency – since there is less energy reflected out into the environment, textured solar cells can collect more energy from the sun; thus, it is far more efficient than when flat silicon substrates are used.

Lower cost – one of the main considerations by pv equipment manufacturers as they work for continued improvements of their products for textured solar cell manufacturing; they continue to design equipment that can minimize the cost without compromising efficiency.

Environment-friendly – green processing plays a crucial role for the attainment of sustainable development and solar cell texturing is one that promotes such advocacy. Alternative energy promotes a cleaner and greener environment, a program that companies should integrate in their processes.

Types of solar cell texturing

Single crystalline substrate — this type is done by etching along the faces of the crystal planes. The crystalline structure will produce a resulting surface that is made up of pyramids when aligned appropriately with respect to the internal atoms.

Inverted pyramid – with this type, the pyramids are etched down into the silicon surface as opposed to the single crystalline substrate where the silicon substrates are etched pointing upwards from the surface.

Multi-crystalline substrate - this type can be accomplished using a photolithograpic technique; it can also be processed by mechanically sculpting the front surface using dicing saws or laser to cut the surface into appropriate shape.

Roy Van Rivero writes various industry-related topics. He uses his experience working in the industry in his writing tasks. To learn more about recirculating bath etching, solar cell texturing, visit MT Systems – a website administered by a wet process company based in Fremont, CA.

By Roy van Rivero • PPC Industry •