Why do solar cells need etching?

Chemical Polishing After the front of the wafer is textured, the rear side remains comparatively rough. Such roughness can reduce the life span of the solar cell and impacts performance. By polishing the rear side of the cell and the edges in an etching bath, internal light reflection is improved and a higher efficiency cell can be manufactured.

Which etch process can be used during solar cell processing?

The etching process can be physical and/or chemical, wet or dry, and isotropic or anisotropic. All these etch process variations can be used during solar cell processing. Figure 1: Etching processes divided according to their physical, chemical, or combined (physical and chemical) nature.

How do solar cell manufacturing facilities use wet processing equipment?

Solar cell manufacturing facilities and research labs use wet processing equipment to etch and clean solar cell silicon wafers.

What is silicon wafer etching?

The wafers are placed in an etching bath that removes a thin layer of damaged crystal and leaves a smooth and uniform surface. Modutek wet processing equipment delivers high throughput with accurate controls and consistent results for this process. Silicon Wafer Texturing

How do you clean a solar cell?

Such roughness can reduce the life span of the solar cell and impacts performance. By polishing the rear side of the cell and the edges in an etching bath, internal light reflection is improved and a higher efficiency cell can be manufactured. Ozone Pre-Cleaning The cutting of silicon wafers with a wire saw uses a slurry applied to the wires.

What is alkaline etching?

Consequently, alkaline etch processes are often performed at high temperatures (70-80 °C). Alkaline etching is typically anisotropic with an etch rate of 1-2 µm/min for low concentration (1-5% v/v) alkaline solutions. This type of etching is used to texture monocrystalline silicon.