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

April 19, 2017
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

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

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.

16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2028 and beyond.

Read Next

April 16, 2026
JinkoSolar’s 2025 results have revealed declines in annual module shipments and revenues, as well as a sharp drop in profitability.
April 15, 2026
Jupiter International and Ampin Energy Transition have commissioned a 1.3GW integrated solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
April 14, 2026
India’s MNRE has expanded the ALMM List-II for solar cells to 27.8GW, and added HJT cells for the first time.
April 14, 2026
Premier Energies is set to supply 1.6GW of solar cells and modules in the fourth quarter of 2026, under contracts valued at INR25.77 billion (US$276 million). 
April 13, 2026
Indian solar manufacturer Vikram Solar has surpassed 10GW in cumulative solar module deployments globally.
April 8, 2026
PV manufacturing capital expenditure is expected to rebound this year, following two years in the doldrums as the industry weathered a global oversupply of modules, new figures show.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
March 9, 2027
Location To Be Confirmed