SNEC 2017: 3D-Micromac half-cell cutting tool orders top 1.5GW

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
REC Group switched production to half-cut solar cells several years ago. Image REC

PV manufacturing equipment specialist 3D-Micromac said it had booked over 1.5GW of orders related to its microCELL TLS (Thermal Laser Separation) high-throughput half-cell cutting tools since the beginning of the year. The company is exhibiting and showcasing its laser systems at SNEC 2017 in Shanghai, China. 

The company has also launched its second-generation microCELL OTF system, the high-performance production solution for Laser Contact Opening (LCO) of Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) solar cells, which is claimed a world-class throughput of 8,000 wafers per hour.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • 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

The TLS process is said to provide higher mechanical strength, better edge quality as well as lower power reduction compared to laser scribing and other cleaving approaches. 

The company claims module power gain of more than 1.0W has been achieved compared to conventional scribe and break methods, in addition to the 5-7W per module gain of half-cell module technology.

Read Next

Premium
August 28, 2025
US solar companies could potentially pay “tens of billions” of dollars in retroactive duties on products imported from Southeast Asia between June 2022 and June 2024, following a decision from the US Court of International Trade (CIT).
August 27, 2025
Long-term procurement decisions from the US solar industry could support US solar manufacturing, regardless of changes to federal tax credits, PV Tech has heard.
Premium
August 27, 2025
American Clean Power Association’s MJ Shiao assesses the state of US PV manufacturing in the wake of recent policy developments.
August 26, 2025
US-based solar module manufacturer Bila Solar will include US-made steel module frames in its 550W dual-glass products.
August 21, 2025
JA Solar's CTO, Zi Ouyang, discusses the company's latest module technologies and why the future is tandem.
August 18, 2025
Australia’s sole PV producer Tindo Solar has launched a new range of n-type TOPCon modules aimed at rooftop applications.

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