Combating the impact of contamination in solar cell production
tive means of removing contamination as
the roller makes contact with the surface.
Other methods, such as blowers and
vacuum systems, cannot cut through the
boundary layer of air which sits just above
the surface of the substrate.
Contact cleaning equipment—both stan-
dard and bespoke—is available to suit most
PV production environments for both in
line (continuous/reel to reel) processing
and discreet items, such as wafers.
conclusions
With the costs of raw materials rising, it is
more important than ever for PV manufac-
turers to find ways of increasing yield and
reducing waste. Contamination has a ma-
jor impact on both production efficiency
and efficiency of the solar cells themselves.
Figure 2. PV technology roadmap. Courtesy Shiller Automation.
By removing contamination using methods
such as contact cleaning it is possible to
be present on the surface of the mate- down to one micron in size from a silicon increase yields and improve the efficiency
rial. Statically attracted particles are also an wafer or substrate, such as glass or EVA of solar cells.
issue for dielectric base materials. film, without damaging the surface. The
It is not only during the manufacturing equipment, pioneered by Teknek, uses a
process that contamination can cause prob- special elastomer roller to lift the contami-
lems. Conductive materials (debris) can nation from the surface and transfer it
result in corrosion of the finished product to a roll of adhesive film for examination
and may only show up in the field later in and disposal of the debris. When used at
the product’s life. each stage of the production process where
Sheila Hamilton is technical director and
So what can be done to minimise contamination could be present, contact
a board director with Teknek, responsible
the impact of contamination in a cleaning equipment can lead to dramatic
for keeping the company at the forefront
PV cell production environment? increases in yields and the efficiency of the
of its field in terms of innovation
Many manufacturers are turning PV cell. Contact cleaning methods have
and product design. Sheila joined the
to a proven technology from the proven to be the most effec-
company in 1987 as technical director
semi-conductor sector—
after working as a product designer and
contact cleaning.
power station engineer. She has also run
Using contact
her own consultancy in the field
cleaning equip-
of electronics component
ment, it is possible
packaging. Sheila has
to remove loose
a BSc in mechani-
particles
cal engineering from
Glasgow University
and is currently study-
ing for an MBA at
Strathclyde University.
She is a recipient of
two Smart Awards in
the field of Electromag-
netic Interference.
10 – Global Solar Technology – November/December 2008 www.globalsolartechnology.com
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