3D-Micromac supplies laser tools for PERC migration at Hanwha Q CELLS China cell plant

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
3D-Micromac said that it had installed three of its microCELL OTF laser systems at the Qidong solar cell plant and had received a follow-on order for a fourth laser system. Image: 3D-Micromac

Laser micromachining specialist 3D-Micromac said it was supplying Hanwha Q CELLS solar cell plant in Qidong, Jiangsu-province, China with its microCELL OTF laser system for its recently announced transition from Al-BSF (Aluminium Back Surface Field) to PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology.

PV Tech first reported that the ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member had started to migrate to some of its cell capacity to PERC, which equated to 1.4GW, while retaining around 1.2GW of BSF production. The SMSL has kept capital expenditures very low in 2017 to support financial efforts to return to profitability. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

3D-Micromac said that it had installed three of its microCELL OTF laser systems at the Qidong solar cell plant and had received a follow-on order for a fourth laser system.

Tino Petsch, CEO of 3D-Micromac said, “The Chinese market is a highly competitive one, with a strong focus on pricing. By providing high quality and yield as well as cost dilution through the highest throughput values in our laser systems, we succeeded in being the first choice for the technology conversion at Hanwha's Chinese solar cell manufacturing plant.”

The microCELL OTF laser system is used for contact opening of the rear side passivation layer, which reduces electrical losses in the cell, boosting conversion efficiencies. 

10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

October 8, 2025
University of Sydney scientists have created the largest and most efficient triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon solar cell on record.
Premium
October 6, 2025
Talon PV aims to be the first US company to safely manufacture TOPCon cells at scale, backed by European technology and a crucial First Solar licensing deal.
October 3, 2025
The US solar manufacturing industry is feeling bullish, despite the policy whiplash inflicted over the summer and the increased pressure on US solar supply chains.
October 2, 2025
PV products using perovskite technology could assume a dominant position within the next ten years, according to module producer Qcells' CTO.
Premium
October 2, 2025
PV Talk: Qcells’ CTO Danielle Merfeld discusses the imminent opening of America’s first integrated c-Si ingot-to-module factory and her belief in solar’s long-term strengths.
September 29, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Waaree has said it does not expect to pay additional duties on its solar cell imports to the US, following the start of an antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation by the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK