Empowering thin-film cells: how DC and RF generators impact high-quality coatings of thin-film solar cells.
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Knowledge for better solar cells
There are many applications for customised process energy in the photovoltaic industry. When producing either wafer-based or thin film solar cells, generators for plasma excitation are a key asset. They deliver the energy needed for the deposition and removal of material via processes like sputtering, PECVD and etching on large area substrates.
Powering solar cells with HÜTTINGER
Two types of solar cell can be distinguished: Solar cells based on silicon wafers represent the largest part of the installed base of systems. Their main advantage is their relatively high efficiency factor. However, they require a significant amount of raw material, high purity silicon, for their operation. Hence, solar cell manufacturers are exploring ways to develop cells with little or no silicon content without sacrificing efficiency.
Here, thin film solar cells become attractive as they can be created on substrates such as glass, metal or plastic films with various geometrical shapes and in continuous or batch processes. A typical thin film device consists of several layers of material (combinations of elements like copper, indium, gallium, cadmium and telluride) deposited in a vacuum process on a compatible substrate.