Solar - On the way towards a turnkey fab for silicon thin film cells
Offering integrated solutions for the fabrication of thin film solar cells must be a clear objective for equipment manufacturers in order to ensure long term success in the photovoltaic market. Light absorbing layer stacks on glass panels or on steel strips - whatever the thin film solar cell will look like in the future, LEYBOLD OPTICS has the right solution on the shelf.
Precise focus on the needs
The novel vertical carrier-free linear cluster system PHOEBUS for the economical deposition of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon light absorbers by PECVD ideally combines the strengths of proven vacuum production platforms to precisely focus on the needs of solar cell producers: process stability, productivity, yield, footprint, costs of ownership. PHOEBUS is complemented by the mature, vertical, carrier-based A class or horizontal carrier-free H class In-Line coater series employing PVD technologies such as high-rate magnetron sputtering for the deposition of transparent and metallic electrodes. By now In-Line sputter coaters from LEYBOLD OPTICS for transparent conductive oxides (TCO) and metals enjoy an excellent reputation amongst established solar cell producers since they are also very productive and dependable stand-alone systems.
Thin film solar cells on flexible substrates
A serious reduction in the production costs for solar cells appears to be imperative to sustain a growing market in the future. The current concepts for wafer-based and thin film solar modules may not be suitable to reach the necessary cost-level structure. Accordingly, a growing number of companies are looking into the prospects of producing thin film solar cells on flexible substrates. LEYBOLD OPTICS certainly acknowledges trends in the photovoltaic industry. A newly developed coating system for PVD processes on steel strips has been manufactured and delivered to the CIGS solar industry.
