Metallized silicon solar cells
Image: Lumet
Qcells has agreed to deploy Israeli-headquartered Lumet’s ultra-fine metallization technology for its solar cell line.
The metallization step, in which conductive silver fingers are screen-printed onto the surface of solar cells, is widely considered to be the largest expense in cell production. Efforts to reduce finger width from the industry standard of 20 microns are aimed at reducing silver consumption, cost and light shadow, while also increasing efficiency.
Lumet says its technology can produce finger widths of less than 10 microns, delivering higher cell efficiency and lower costs. Danielle Merfeld, EVP and Global Chief Technology Officer at Qcells, says Lumet’s technology is based on long-term evaluation.
“We see enormous potential in the Lumet metallization technology, which is a breakthrough on several fronts and sets records for the finest lines, lowest costs, highest efficiency, highest speed and smallest footprint,” said Merfeld. “Innovation and clean energy technology will be critical to reducing global emissions and developing cheap, accessible and reliable energy for communities around the world.”
Qcells currently operates the largest solar panel factory of its kind in the United States. Earlier this year it signed a PV module agreement with Microsoft and entered into a recycling alliance with Solarcycle.
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