The new converter technology and the silver-plated CVD-reactors from Silicon Products Bitterfeld GmbH & Co.KG (SPB), lead to a substantial contribution regarding reduced production costs and higher quality of silicon produced by standard Siemens process.
This article presents the latest development and technology in the production and purification of trichlorosilane (TCS) and converter technology developed by SPB and first operating results. Further on production experiences are shown by using silver-plated reactors in comparison to stainless steel CVD-reactors.
Chlorosilanes (Silicontetrachloride (STC), Trichlorosilane (TCS)) are generally used for decomposition to polysilicon in Siemens-reactors and this technology is also applied in Bitterfeld.
2. Market development
The overall photovoltaic market will continue to increase strongly in volume
in the next few years. Nevertheless in all stages of the value-added chain cost reductions and efficiency improvements are required so as to further increase the economic efficiency and competitiveness of solar power compared to fossil energy sources.
Market research shows that the worldwide demand for high-purity and competitive solar-grade silicon for photovoltaic applications is going to increase annually into double-figures.
In 2015 the worldwide production capacity of silicon for solar stood at approximately 350,000 MT and various forecasts show a possible increase in demand to over 800,000 MT in 2025.
In regards to this improved technological solutions for process optimisation and the resulting cost reductions are of the utmost importance.
