While the oil, gas and coal reserves continue to decline, photovoltaics is developing from a niche application to become an established source of energy. It is set to provide a growing share of the power supply across the globe. In nine out of ten solar systems, this is based on silicon technology. Silicon is gained from quartz sand in several melting and washing steps. The liquid silicon is cast in blocks. These blocks (ingots) are cut into thin discs, the so-called wafers.
Q-Cells buys these wafers and processes them into solar cells. To this end the wafers are cleaned with acids and alkaline solutions and electrophysically modified. Finally an anti-reflection film made of silicon nitride is applied to them to increase their efficiency. In a final step the electrical contacts are attached. Q-Cells sells the finished cells to solar module manufacturers.
Copyright by Q-Cells SE © 2010