50 – 70% savings in silverProcess developed for front and rear side coating with nickelProduction tool available for immediate use in solar cell production
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) today announced that its Group member Roth & Rau AG [Frankfurt stock exchange: R8R] has developed a process which uses inexpensive nickel in busbar metallisation for the electrical contacting of solar cells. The coating process includes both the front and rear sides of the cell within a production tool. This process, which is immediately available, significantly differentiates Roth & Rau from its competitors.
Depending on the contact technology, a saving of between 50 and 70% in expensive silver can be achieved and therefore significantly reduce the production cost of solar cells. A further benefit from the process is the fact that nickel is a readily available material. This means that solar cell manufacturers are not tied to specific suppliers as is the case with other materials.
The HELiA system, which was developed primarily for the production of high efficiency heterojunction cells, coats the solar cells with nickel in a shortened system configuration to form the front and rear busbars. This is achieved by means of a sputtering process. In contrast to other systems, the HELiA system permits simultaneous processing not only of the rear surface but also of the front surface on which there is a significantly greater potential for savings.
A further decisive benefit of this new process is the outstanding adhesion of the cell connectors to the front and rear surfaces of the solar cell as a result of the nickel metallisation in standard soldering processes. The metallisation of the fingers can thus take place regardless of the electrical characteristics of the busbar and be optimised to match them. In this way, the metallisation of the fingers is de-coupled from the solderability of the busbar, thereby enabling the use of new pastes and metallisation processes that do not currently achieve reliable solderability. The performance of solar cells coated with this process is comparable with that of solar cells metallised in the conventional way by screen printing.
The concept and associated system will be presented at the Meyer Burger stand (Hall 3, E2) at the upcoming EUPVSEC trade fair in Frankfurt from 25-28 September.
Additional information:
Roth & Rau AG
Mario Schubert
Tel: +49 3723 671 3340
Email: mario.schubert@roth-rau.com
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
Ingrid Carstensen
Tel: +41 33 221 28 34
Email: info@innolas-systems.com
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
www.meyerburger.com
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd is a leading global technology group. With its innovative systems and production equipment, Meyer Burger creates sustainable added value for customers in photovoltaics (solar industry), in the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries as well as other selected industries which focus on semiconductor materials. The Group currently employs around 2,500 people across three continents. In its core business – photovoltaics – customers rely on comprehensive solutions and complementary technologies along the entire value chain including the manufacturing processes for wafers, solar cells, solar modules and solar systems.
The Group’s core competences encompass a broad range of production processes, machines and systems that are used for the production of ultra-thin, high quality wafers, for the inspection and measurement of solar cells, for laminating, soldering and testing of solar modules and for building-integrated solar systems. With the acquisition of Roth & Rau AG, with its cutting-edge products and technologies for the next generation of crystalline silicon solar cells, Meyer Burger Group is further expanding its market leadership along the entire photovoltaic value chain.
Meyer Burger Group is a full line system provider who covers all of the most important technology elements along the photovoltaic value chain from crystalline silicon to complete solar systems. A worldwide service network including spare parts, consumables, re-grooving services, process know-how, customer support, after-sales services, training and other services completes the comprehensive product portfolio. Meyer Burger Group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets and has subsidiaries and own service centres in China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan and the USA. The company relies on selected independent agents in other important markets. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO U.S. PERSONS OR PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, EXCHANGE OR PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”, such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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