Archive for category Solar Cell Manufacturing
Profiling ovens and processes with multiple conveyor speeds
Posted by Rex Breunsbach in M.O.L.E. MAP, Profiling, Solar Cell Manufacturing, Thermal Profiling on September 29th, 2009
BTU Tritan Solar Cell Furnace
Ovens used in the metallization of solar cells can have 20 or more heating and cooling zones. These ovens can become quite long if the conveyor speed in the initial curing and final cooling sections are the same as the firing section. By speeding up the conveyor speed in the firing section the oven can be shortened and temperature of the cells can be increased and decreased more quickly.
Multiple conveyor speeds are also encountered in food processing lines where the food product passes through a several machines running at different speeds.
ECD’s newest profiling software can accommodate multiple conveyor speeds. Most profiling software assumes the
Solar Cell Metalization Time-Temperature Profile
conveyor speed in all zones is the same. ECD’s new M.O.L.E. MAP® software version 2.18a allows entry of a different conveyor speed for each zone.
Proper positioning of oven zones on profile time-temperature data requires accurate knowledge of the conveyor speed. By knowing the sampling interval, length of each zone and the conveyor speed one can calculate how many temperature samples “long” a particular zone occupies.�
Thermal Profiling in the Solar Industry
Posted by Rex Breunsbach in Solar Cell Manufacturing, Thermal Profiler on August 7th, 2009
Reach For the Sun
Solar Cell manufacturing has been around for a long time; however the materials and process have changed drastically in the past few years and will continue to evolve as the technology and need for Renewable Energy grows. The costs of manufacturing and the risks associated with the ever changing processes can strain the ability to maintain yields and improve quality. Proving these new manufacturing processes, then achieving the repeatability and yield needed for production have always been a challenge.
ECD’s suite of profiling tools allow detailed Characterization of these advanced processes during the R&D phase. During production ramp-up good thermal thermal profile data drives yield improvement leading to maximum profitability. In production these same tools can quickly Verify that the optimum manufacturing process is being maintained.
Thin Film Solar
ECD has many types of customers in the Solar Cell manufacturing industry. They include start-ups, university research departments and production facilities, located around the globe.
The application areas that we have been able to identify are among the following:
Silicon Metallization:
Thermal profiling is used to optimize the drying, rapid firing and following cooling process in the oven.
Silicon Diffusion:
Thermal profiling is used to optimize the heating, high temperature diffusion and cooling process in the oven.
Thin film Solar Cells:
Done on glass and other substrates, this process is similar to Diffusion process, but at lower temperature.
Profiling Equipment Requirements:
Minimum profiler thickness is important – Many of the ovens designed for solar manufacturing provide little vertical clearance for the profilers. Thermal barrier requirements vary and in some cases, time and temperature do not allow pass-thru profiling. In most cases 3 channels of thermal data are sufficient for process verification as all areas of the silicon heat similarly. Thermocouple attachment can also be tedious, with mechanical pressure being the most common contact method.
We look forward to the continued growth and success of the Solar industry and we would like to invite all solar industry participants to work with us and discover how we can help you reach your performance goals.
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