Product Briefing Outline: DuPont Microcircuit Materials has launched ‘Solamet’ PV173 photovoltaic (PV) metallization paste, a new lead-free front side material for crystalline silicon solar cells. With its high performance and superior environmental properties, Solamet PV173 is targeted to PV cell and module manufacturers who are seeking technologies with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
Problem: The aim is to develop narrower and taller grid lines that will precisely print in two or more layers, which allow more cell surface area, boosting cell efficiencies, while reduced environmental footprint of the process. Improved material performance is important while maintaining compatibility with other materials, especially in high-volume cell and wafer production environments.
Solution: Solamet PV173 is compatible with standard PV cell manufacturing processes, and features excellent electrical performance on both mono- and multi-wafers for flexible wafer selection. Solamet PV173 provides high adhesion, superior print speed, and enables advanced fine line designs down to 80 microns. It is also compatible with DuPont Solamet PV502 and PV505 tab silver pastes, and PV38x aluminum pastes, which are also lead-free.
Applications: Crystalline silicon solar cell metallization processing.
Platform: Lead-free silver paste.
Availability: September 2009 onwards.
