The newly developed GP ALKA-TEX .Free additive completely eliminates the need for the environmentally critical substance isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in the texturing process. It creates a perfectly homogeneous wafer surface texture, and offers far more control than processes using IPA. The potential areas for cost savings are manifold.
Significantly reduced chemical consumption, low dosage of additives, and stable processes all contribute to huge cost reductions. The elimination of IPA opens up even more potential for savings. Doing away with organic components in the texturing bath simplifies the previously cost-intensive waste water treatment process. Numerous large-scale trials with the new additive at customers' facilities have yielded very positive results.
Our test customers in Asia were delighted with the initial results and are already speaking of their first orders, says Dr. Eric Rüland, managing director of GP Solar. The use of our new additive for IPA-free texturing is an elegant example of how environmentally friendly products and cost reduction can go hand-in-hand.
The GP WIS 2.0 wafer inspection system is yet another product for efficient PV production which will be presented at the trade show in Frankfurt. The fully-integrated system enables full-surface inspections of any wafer material. The device can include up to ten different measuring processes and is particularly impressive for its new method of detecting and measuring full-area saw marks combined with the worlds leading microcrack detection technology.
With its throughput of more than 3500 wafers per hour, the GP WIS 2.0 enables 100% quality control. The result is a dramatic reduction in rejection rates and a significant increase in efficiency in solar cell production, Dr. Rüland explains.
