Despatch Industries Releases Results of Study on Optimizing In-line Emitters
Despatch Industries Releases Results of Study on Optimizing In-line Emitters for
Higher Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells
Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A. -- October 30, 2009 - Despatch Industries, a leading technology and equipment provider for the solar industry, is releasing the results of a recent study the company conducted in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology. The study focused on optimizing in-line emitters to achieve higher efficiency solar cells. The Georgia Institute of Technology presented the results at the EU Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference in Hamburg, Germany.
The study was performed to determine what efficiencies can be achieved through in-line diffusion when systematically optimized. The Georgia Institute of Technology used a sheet resistance mapping tool to optimize emitter uniformity and junction depth and phosphorus surface concentration to characterize the in-line emitters.
Despatch's in-line phosphorus doping and diffusion system provides reduced wafer handling and higher throughput than traditional POCl3 processing. As the industry moves toward thinner wafers, less handling offers reduced breakage and higher yields. Despatch's diffusion system consistently produces highly uniform emitters with maximum cell efficiencies.
Through this study, the Georgia Institute of Technology was able to achieve an average efficiency of 17.1% and a maximum efficiency of 17.5% through a combination of front silver paste, best co-firing and uniform 45 fÇ/sq emitters. A follow-on study is planned as it was concluded that by improving the grid line aspect ratio through best printing practices, in-line processed emitters will produce efficiencies greater than 18%. These strong test results in efficiency and uniformity make in-line diffusion preferable to POCl3 and a best choice for many of the new selective emitter solutions entering the market.
The complete technical paper can be found on Despatch's website: despatch.com/cleantech/literature/ .
Despatch Industries designs and engineers market-leading tools and technology for the global solar cell manufacturing industry. Despatch equipment is consistently recognized for exceptional performance and process quality, optimal cell efficiency, maximum uptime and reduced operating costs. For more information on Despatch visit our website: www.despatch.com
