A number of industries are using alternative energy not just to harness natural energy sources but, of equal importance, to use it to its optimum potential in order to promote sustainable development for human society. However, up to these days, industry innovators continue to face the challenge of refining their processes so that they are able to use them in the most efficient ways.
In the semiconductor industry, solar cell texturing is one example of a process that is engineered so that solar energy can be harnessed in the most efficient way. In layman's terms, this process is used for 'roughening' of the silicon substrate in order to minimize reflection. The resulting textured substrate can generate more energy as reflection (bouncing of solar energy back into the air) is minimized.
Here are some benefits of solar cell texturing
Efficiency - since there is less energy reflected out into the environment, textured solar cells can collect more energy from the sun; thus, it is far more efficient than when flat silicon substrates are used.
Lower cost - the industry of pv manufacturing equipment today continues to engineer products designed to produce textured solar cells that can reduce cost while efficiency remains intact.
Environment-friendly - another benefit of solar cell texturing is that it is a process that promotes environmental protection; it plays an important role in achieving a sustainable development. Environment-friendly processes should be integrated to companies' systems.
Types of solar cell texturing
Single crystalline substrate -- this type is done by etching along the faces of the crystal planes. The crystalline structure will produce a resulting surface that is made up of pyramids when aligned appropriately with respect to the internal atoms.
Inverted pyramid - with this type, the pyramids are etched down into the silicon surface as opposed to the single crystalline substrate where the silicon substrates are etched pointing upwards from the surface.
Multi-crystalline substrate - this type can be accomplished using a photolithograpic technique; it can also be processed by mechanically sculpting the front surface using dicing saws or laser to cut the surface into appropriate shape.
In the semiconductor industry, solar cell texturing is one example of a process that is engineered so that solar energy can be harnessed in the most efficient way. In layman's terms, this process is used for 'roughening' of the silicon substrate in order to minimize reflection. The resulting textured substrate can generate more energy as reflection (bouncing of solar energy back into the air) is minimized.
Here are some benefits of solar cell texturing
Efficiency - since there is less energy reflected out into the environment, textured solar cells can collect more energy from the sun; thus, it is far more efficient than when flat silicon substrates are used.
Lower cost - the industry of pv manufacturing equipment today continues to engineer products designed to produce textured solar cells that can reduce cost while efficiency remains intact.
Environment-friendly - another benefit of solar cell texturing is that it is a process that promotes environmental protection; it plays an important role in achieving a sustainable development. Environment-friendly processes should be integrated to companies' systems.
Types of solar cell texturing
Single crystalline substrate -- this type is done by etching along the faces of the crystal planes. The crystalline structure will produce a resulting surface that is made up of pyramids when aligned appropriately with respect to the internal atoms.
Inverted pyramid - with this type, the pyramids are etched down into the silicon surface as opposed to the single crystalline substrate where the silicon substrates are etched pointing upwards from the surface.
Multi-crystalline substrate - this type can be accomplished using a photolithograpic technique; it can also be processed by mechanically sculpting the front surface using dicing saws or laser to cut the surface into appropriate shape.
About the Author:
Roy Van Rivero writes a wide array of industry-related topics. He leverages his experience working in the industry in his writing tasks. To learn more about recirculating bath etching, solar cell texturing, visit MT Systems - a website administered by a wet process company based in Fremont, CA.
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