At the International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference and Exhibition (SNEC), May 20-22 in Shanghai, China, DEK Solar will demonstrate several new metallization platform technologies, all designed to raise solar cell efficiency and line throughput.
Each addressing customer requirements, the DEK Solar metallization systems offer acute accuracy, low breakage rates and varying wafer per hour (wph) capability to accommodate the specific needs of solar cell manufacturing specialists.
HouYi
DEK Solar’s HouYi platform is a small footprint, 1350 wph metallization system that delivers high reliability and future-proofing flexibility using machine control software and advanced sensor technology. A new squeegee mechanism supports both trailing and diamond blade designs, delivering proven print quality. In addition, an integrated air knife technology minimizes platen area contamination, thus reducing wafer breakage.
Eclipse
With 4,000 wph capability, DEK Solar’s Eclipse metallization platform combines speed, accuracy and reliability using a highly-flexible and modular design. The Eclipse platform has cell manufacturing operations can accommodate 1,200 to 4,000 wph with the platform’s ability to easily scale production as demand dictates. Print speeds of 600 mm/s combine with zero-edge-contact cell transfer to deliver high throughput with minimal breakage.
Apollo
Rounding out the platform display is DEK Solar’s Apollo metallization system which, at SNEC, will incorporate brand new Solar Sentinel technology. The Apollo platform has +/- 10 µm accuracy at 2 Cpk and a low breakage rate of less than 0.15%. Combining this technology with DEK Solar’s new Solar Sentinel makes the Apollo platform even more productive. Solar Sentinel is an inspection technology that verifies material coverage for 45 µm lines, detects cell edge chips and senses complete wafer breaks. A “go/no go” feature accepts or rejects the print and wafer integrity all in real time, so as to ensure maximum throughput with minimal yield loss.
“High accuracy, scalable platform technology with rich features to enhance cell production, and in-field performance efficiency are critical for cost-competitive solar cell manufacturing,” says DEK Solar Director, Brian Lau. “However, PV cell manufacturing advances do not rest solely on the shoulders of platform capability. DEK Solar’s next-generation screen and stencil developments are also facilitating some of the world’s highest efficiency cells – all driven by a team of metallization process experts.”