3D-Micromac’s PERC cell process offers improved price to performance ratio

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

3D-Micromac has developed a novel, highly productive laser system for opening the rear sides of PERC cells. Innovative on-the-fly technology makes it possible to achieve an improved cost-benefit ratio. The system is modular, combinable with different laser-source technologies, and achieves a typical efficiency increase up to one percentage point.

Problem

PERC cells are photovoltaic cells made of crystalline silicon having special, optimized rear-side passivation. A PERC cell's rear side is completely coated with a non-conductive, dielectric SiOx/SiN or AIOx/Sin layer. The task is to open this layer with the aid of point or line patterns using lasers without damaging the underlying silicon in order to later apply a metal layer for contacting.

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

Solution

3D-Micromac relies on its ‘on-the-fly’ technology, which is claimed to offer the highest productivity with an excellent price-performance ratio, leading to an increase in cell efficiency by up to 1%. The productivity advantage is due to the handling and individual positioning procedures of the cells which are eliminated. The cells are instead transported under the laser source on a conveyor belt, which renders alignment stops superfluous. The integrated optics automatically compensates for the cells' relative motion and scribes exactly the desired pattern into the cell's sensitive rear side.

Applications

PERC cell passivation.

Platform

The system is being initially offered as a stand-alone variant; however it can also be completely integrated into existing production automation. The structuring platform from 3D-Micromac is also suitable for processing of selective-emitter, MWT, and EWT cells.

Availability

August 2013 onwards. 

Read Next

September 11, 2025
Founder Group has won a RM10 million (US$2.3 million) engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract for a 30MW solar plant in Malaysia.
September 11, 2025
German renewable energy developer ib vogt has signed a 70MW solar PV virtual power purchase agreement (vPPA) in Romania.
September 11, 2025
Madison Energy Infrastructure has raised US$800 million to accelerate the deployment of clean energy assets across the US. 
September 11, 2025
The PEARL Consortium has developed perovskite solar cells with carbon electrodes with a conversion efficiency of 21.6%.
September 11, 2025
The EBRD has launched a new programme to improve access to green financing and support energy investments such as renewable power projects.
September 11, 2025
Constant Energy has secured THB300 million (US$9.4 million) in green financing from HSBC to expand large-scale solar and battery storage projects in Thailand. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines