Application Newsletter - Scribing Silicon Solar Cells

A solar cell is a large area electronic device that converts solar energy into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Solar cells are made of crystalline silicon or thin-film and are classified into three generations which indicates the order of which each became important.

For this application, silicon-based solar cells were scribed on an Advanced Solar Photonics’ Blackstar™ machine using a pulsed fiber laser (1064nm, 1mj@20kHz). The 125x125mm cells were processed at a speed of 40mm/second and then, they were broken into pieces by hand. The BlackStar™ is a Wafer Dicing System utilizing Fantom Wafer Dicing Technology™ (FWDT™) invented and patented by ASP’s parent company, Fonon Technology International.

Solar panels have the highest value at the dicing stage which is a direct function of the BlackStar.™ ASP’s BlackStar™ increases the yield per panel and maximizes throughput while minimizing the heat affected zone (HAZ) specifically for solar cells and low-K substrates. This system is used for dicing many semiconductor materials and silicon composites in solar panel production producing wafers three to five times mechanically stronger without additional edge processing.

The BlackStar™ is the alternative to mechanical saws which may damage thin and complex solar cell materials and substrates while cutting. With the BlackStar™ there will be no micro cracks, fragmentation or chipping. It's plug and play characteristics gives the system ease of installation and quick start up times.

Advanced Solar Photonics is the cutting-edge developer of laser equipment for solar panel processing, thin-film solar cells, and commercial solar products for the solar industry. Our various technologies can increase production and efficiency, minimize waste, and in some cases, increase the overall efficiency of the PV cells. For more information, visit http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com/ or call direct (407) 829-2613.