DEK Solar was delighted to launch the breakthrough Fine Line StencilTM at this year’s Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNEC) Photovoltaic Power Expo in China, which took place from the 14th – 16th of May. Having worked extensively with PV manufacturers to understand their print process needs, DEK Solar developed this brand new enabling technology for ultra fine line solar cell metallisation. Through lowering manufacturing costs and by increasing solar cell efficiency, Fine Line StencilTM is expected to make a major impact on the PV industry.
Reducing screen printed line width helps reduce shadowing losses, but can also lead to higher line resistance. However, DEK Solar’s Fine Line StencilTM ensures superb printed line height uniformity. This gives excellent line conductivity with almost no wasted silver, thereby enabling sub-40µm line widths with no increase in line resistance. Recently published results indicate that a cell efficiency improvement combined with a 40% reduction in frontside paste consumption is a realistic prospect for many cell manufacturers.
When used in the dual print process, the Fine Line StencilTM creates the win-win scenario of higher efficiencies and lower silver consumption by firstly printing the busbars with a fine mesh screen, and then separately printing the conductors with the Fine Line StencilTM. This allows an optimised paste to be used for each print process which not only gives precise control over the relative print height of the busbars and the fine lines, thereby saving silver, but also allows a non-contacting busbar paste to increase Voc and therefore cell efficiency.
Brian Lau, Director of DEK Solar and Process Support Products, explained: “DEK Solar leads the market in developing advanced technologies and processes that simplify manufacturing challenges. Working with partners and agencies across the world, the Dual Print process is yet another example of pioneering innovation in helping our customers reduce costs and optimise cell efficiency.”
With its many advantages for the PV industry, DEK Solar was keen to unveil the Fine Line StencilTM at SNEC. Visitors to the Expo in Shanghai this month witnessed first-hand a demonstration of the technology and the benefits it brings to production. DEK Solar experts were available to offer uniquely tailored advice to business representatives at SNEC, and illustrated the wide range of solutions DEK Solar can provide for PV manufacturers. To find out more you can visit the DEK Solar website at www.deksolar.com.
About DEK
DEK is a global provider of advanced materials deposition technologies and support solutions including printing equipment platforms, stencils, precision screens and mass imaging processes used across a wide range of applications in electronics pre-placement subassembly, semiconductor wafer manufacture, and alternative energy component production. For more information, visit DEK at www.dek.com.
