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3D-Micromac AG, a leading supplier of laser micromachining and roll-to-roll laser systems for the photovoltaic, medical device and electronics markets, today announced that it has installed three of its microCELL OTF laser systems at Hanwha SolarOne's production facility in Qidong, Jiangsu-province, China. The successful installation was followed by an additional order of a fourth laser system to support the conversion of Hanwha SolarOne's aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF) technology production to high-efficiency Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) solar cells.
PERC solar cells have the potential to deliver a significantly higher level of energy efficiency compared to standard solar cells. A critical step in the manufacturing process of PERC solar cells is laser contact opening (LCO), where laser ablation is used to perforate a thin passivation layer onto the rear side of the solar cell. This process reduces electrical losses in the cell, resulting in approximately 1 percent (absolute) higher conversion efficiency.
3D-Micromac addresses this critical step with its microCELL OTF laser platform, an industry-proven, high-productivity and low cost-of-ownership solution for mono- and polycrystalline silicon solar cells. Featuring "on-the-fly" technology, the laser process takes place while the wafer runs in continuous motion through the machine, boosting the throughput by eliminating dead cycles for motion encountered with competing approaches. The microCELL OTF achieves throughput values above 4,000 wafers per hour (wph) with single-lane systems and above 8,000 wph with dual-lane systems.
Another unique selling point of the microCELL OTF is its contactless wafer handling, which holds the wafer in place on an air cushion during processing, thereby reducing or eliminating surface defects and microcracks, and enabling maximum yields. Mechanical wafer handling, on the other hand, can increase the likelihood of surface defects and microcracks occurring, which can result in additional wafer damage during subsequent process steps.
"We are pleased to see that our focus on quality awareness and throughput has been recognized in the largest market for solar cell manufacturing, which is China," stated Tino Petsch, CEO of 3D-Micromac. "The Chinese market is a highly competitive one, with a strong focus on pricing. By providing high quality and yield as well as cost dilution through the highest throughput values in our laser systems, we succeeded in being the first choice for the technology conversion at Hanwha's Chinese solar cell manufacturing plant. This confidence of Hanwha SolarOne is a clear example that our strategy of supporting solar cell manufacturers through extensive process know-how, innovative concepts and industry-leading performance—combined with the recent expansion of our manufacturing capacity and support infrastructure around the globe—is paying off."