Copper plated solar cells meet industry module reliability standards – imec

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Imec said that its Ni-Cu-Ag plated p-type Cz-Si cells, using Meco’s ‘Direct Plating Line’ technology, followed by annealing in an inline belt furnace and interconnected with standard soldering and lamination processes were able to pass a number of IEC61215 tests with results inline with conventional modules. Image: Meco

Nanoelectronics research centre imec said that copper-based solar cells have reached the same reliability standards as traditional silver-based solar cells in recently completed rapid-cycle testing of a limited number of specially prepared modules. 

Imec said that its Ni-Cu-Ag plated p-type Cz-Si cells, using Meco’s ‘Direct Plating Line’ technology, followed by annealing in an inline belt furnace and interconnected with standard soldering and lamination processes were able to pass a number of IEC61215 tests with results inline with conventional modules. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“We are very pleased with this result”, stated Richard Russell, principal engineer at imec. “It demonstrates our industrial leading knowledge on how to make reliable Ni/Cu/Ag plated solar cells and modules with a low cost industrial manufacturing process.”

“After the excellent result of the 600 thermal cycle test earlier this year on one module, we are delighted to confirm that these results can be repeated on a larger set of 5 modules” stated Martijn Zwegers, product manager solar at Besi. “Furthermore it indicates that modules with Cu plated cells lead to industry standard reliability, paving the way for Ni/Cu/Ag plated cells as a viable, low-cost alternative to front side screen printing of Ag pastes.”

Two of five modules were said to have been subjected to 600 thermal cycles (-40°C to +85°C) and said to have passed this test three times. 

A module was also subjected to a 1000h damp-heat test (85°C, 85 percent RH) with no power loss (0.1 percent gain), and two of the five modules were submitted to a serial testing of 15kWh UV-conditioning followed by 50 temperature cycles, followed by 10 humidity-freeze-test cycle. According to imec the overall power losses were only 0.5% and 3.0%, well within the less than 5% losses allowed for standard modules. 

Ni/Cu/Ag plated cells are expected to become mainstream when SolarCity/Tesla start migrating process technology from its Silevo subsidiary to support the production ramp at its Buffalo fab in New York State, sometime in 2017. 

Read Next

June 24, 2025
Chinese solar manufacturing giant LONGi has signed an agreement with Indonesia’s Pertamina New & Renewable Energy to build a 1.4GW module assembly plant in West Java, Indonesia.
June 24, 2025
The Chinese polysilicon industry could face a shortage by 2028, despite persistent overcapacity in recent years, according to polysilicon market analyst Bernreuter Research.
June 24, 2025
Western Australia’s Lithium Universe has secured the commercial rights for a solar PV module recycling technology known as Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT).
June 19, 2025
Australia-based solar PV module manufacturer Tindo Solar has inked a 15MW solar PV module supply agreement with Vietnam.
June 18, 2025
The solar manufacturing and module purchasing community met in Napa to answer the question of 'what next?' for module supply in uncertain times.
June 18, 2025
The US Senate Finance Committee draft bill is a “stake in the heart” of US solar manufacturing, according to Democrat senator, Ron Wyden.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico