Featured in Best in class – 01-2020

Increased cell efficiency, on a plate

The solar industry has dragged its heels on the issue of silver-dependence for cell metallization, but China’s Jiangsu Xianghuan Technology (JXTC) is moving into commercial production with a copper plating process that overcomes many of the challenges that have limited interest from cell manufacturers.

By

Mark Hutchins

03 Dec 2024

The tool developed by Xianghuan places cells on rollers rather than using clamps to keep them in place, which can cause breakage. | Photo: Jiangsu Xianghuan Technology Company

Recent growth in solar manufacturing has brought forward concern about the availability of certain materials at the scale needed for solar installations to reach anywhere close to global 2030 targets. Chief among the materials at issue is silver. A 2021 study from University of New South Wales estimated that current silver consumption would limit the …

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