solar cell manufacturing and solar panel production by suntech

Summary

This video provides an in-depth look at Suntech’s world-class crystalline silicon solar cell and module manufacturing process. It showcases the company’s commitment to quality and excellence through every step, from their patented texturing and diffusion processes to advanced anti-reflective coating and rigorous testing. The video highlights how Suntech creates durable, high-efficiency solar cells and modules, which are carefully assembled, laminated, and tested to ensure optimal performance and a 25-year guarantee. With a focus on innovation and quality control, Suntech’s production process epitomizes the company’s success in the solar industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Suntech is the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon cells and modules, with both solar cell manufacturing and module fabrication facilities.
• 😀 Suntech prioritizes excellence through its commitment to a safe and healthy work environment for its employees.
• 😀 The solar cell production begins with Sunex's patented texturing process, creating pyramid-like structures on the silicon wafer to reduce reflectivity from over 30% to around 11%.
• 😀 Wafers undergo thorough cleaning and are placed in a diffusion furnace, where phosphorus is diffused into the wafer surface to form a PN junction.
• 😀 A patented process is used to remove unwanted phosphorus diffusion, enhancing shunt resistance and increasing cell efficiency under low light conditions.
• 😀 A silicon nitride anti-reflective coating is applied to the wafers in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition area, further reducing reflectivity to around 1%.
• 😀 Aluminum paste is applied to the wafer's rear surface for better efficiency, while silver paste is screen printed onto both surfaces, acting as the positive and negative electrodes.
• 😀 The solar cells undergo rigorous testing using a solar simulator, with quality control implemented at every stage of production.
• 😀 The assembled solar cells are soldered in series to form modules, which are then laminated with protective layers, making them durable and resistant to moisture and mechanical shock.
• 😀 The final modules are fitted with an aluminum frame and weatherproof junction box, ensuring durability and functionality for 25 years of trouble-free operation.
• 😀 Suntech's testing lab is the first in China to receive the UL witness testing data program certificate, meeting or exceeding the strictest international standards for module testing.

Q & A

What is Suntech known for in the solar energy industry?

Suntech is the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon cells and modules, known for its advanced solar cell and module fabrication processes.

What is the first step in Suntech's solar cell production process?

The first step in the solar cell production process is Sunex's patented texturing process, which forms pyramid-like structures on the surface of the monocrystalline silicon wafer to reduce reflectivity.

How does Suntech's patented texturing process improve solar cell efficiency?

The texturing process reduces the reflectivity of the silicon wafer from over 30% to around 11%, allowing more sunlight to be absorbed by the cell and thus improving its efficiency.

What happens during the diffusion process in solar cell manufacturing?

In the diffusion process, phosphorous source is fed into a furnace, where it diffuses into the wafer's surface at a high temperature, forming a PN junction crucial for the cell's electrical properties.

What is the role of the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition area in solar cell production?

In the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition area, the wafer is coated with a silicon nitride anti-reflective coating, further reducing reflectivity to 6%, enhancing the cell's overall efficiency.

How does the aluminum paste applied to the wafer's rear surface contribute to the cell's performance?

The aluminum paste applied to the wafer's rear surface enhances cell efficiency by further improving the electrical properties of the cell, particularly by reflecting light back into the wafer.

What happens during the co-firing process in solar cell production?

During the co-firing process, silver paste is screen printed onto the wafer's front and rear surfaces, and then fired to form the cell's negative and positive metal electrodes, completing the cell's electrical circuit.

What type of testing is performed on solar cells after they are produced?

After production, solar cells undergo rigorous testing and sorting using a solar simulator to ensure quality and performance standards are met.

What steps are involved in assembling a solar module at Suntech's facility?

In module assembly, solar cells with similar characteristics are soldered in series, then sandwiched between layers of tempered glass, EVA, and a back sheet. The structure is laminated to seal the cells and provide protection.

How does Suntech ensure the durability and safety of its solar modules?

Suntech performs extensive electrical durability and safety tests on their solar modules, ensuring they meet or exceed international standards. These tests are conducted in their dedicated testing lab, which is certified by UL and other international bodies.