Solarvalue announces creation of first solar grade metallurgical silicon ingot

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

During Solarvalue’s annual general meeting, Dr. Christian Bornhauser (pictured), CTO of Solarvalue, announced that the company had created the first solar grade silicon-ingot, which weighed in at around 15kg during several repeated tests on different plants. He assured that the purity levels of phosphorus and boron were less than 1ppmw and within the demanded specifications.

The company detailed that the key feature in the fundamental process is a multistage treatment for the separate reduction of phosphor, boron and other metals, which achieves the required purity levels. Simultaneously, the feed stock is permitted to differ on a larger scale making the whole process flexible when it comes to the quality of the metallurgical grade silicon. 

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

Dr. Bornhauser stated, “We have already achieved far better results with the new process within the last couple of months than with the previous process, which was developed and tested for nearly two years in the US. We definitely have achieved a breakthrough in this area. We have produced the first ingot in a quality that seems to be adequate for manufacturing solar cells. Of course this has to be verified by means of further tests. The next step is going to be converting the material into cells by our partners. Altogether, this positively attunes us for the further development of the Solarvalue. It is still our goal to
produce solar grade silicon at compatible costs out of metallurgical grade silicon with the new production process. From today’s perspective, thanks to our rigid savings program the current liquidity is sufficient to build a larger pilot plant for ingots up to 60 kilograms each. But we will have to overcome a number of technical and especially financial barriers before we can produce in an industrial scale.”

Read Next

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. 
September 11, 2025
US cell manufacturer ES Foundry is proceeding with expansion plans despite a six-month delay due to recent trade and tax credit policy uncertainties.
September 11, 2025
The absence of negative pricing in Italy undermines the case for co-located solar storage, the co-founder of Italian IPP Terrawatt has said.
September 11, 2025
Solar power generation in Central Europe has grown at more than twice the EU average rate since 2019, according to new figures.
Premium
September 11, 2025
PV CellTech USA: US cell manufacturer ES Foundry’s CEO Alex Zhu discusses his company's rapid ascent, strategic technology choices and the challenges of operating in a shifting policy environment.

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