Heraeus Photovoltaics and Meyer Burger join forces to pave the way for new heterojunction solar cell technologies

Heterojunction solar cell technology offers strong growth opportunities and high efficiency gains in the next years.

Heraeus Photovoltaics, a leading provider of technology and service solutions for the renewable energy industry, and Meyer Burger, a leading supplier of production equipment for the photovoltaic industry, have formed a cooperation to further drive the development of heterojunction (HJT) solar cell technology.

With efficiencies above 23 %, heterojunction solar cells are regarded as one of the most promising successor to replace current technologies and are expected to triple their market share in the next ten years. Heraeus Photovoltaics and Meyer Burger will work together to enhance the development of metallization pastes for HJT solar cells, which have specific requirements for the metallization since they have to be produced at significantly lower process temperatures than conventional solar cells.

Heraeus will deliver modified low temperature silver pastes on polymer basis, which cure at temperatures below 200°Celsius, while Meyer Burger provides a new HJT pilot production line for performing joint trial runs with Heraeus and Meyer Burger experts. Together they are developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Best Known Methods (BKM) for the heterojunction solar cell production at Meyer Burger.

Common silver pastes used for HJT cells are stored at minus 40°Celsius and need additional time for defrosting. Once defrosted, they can’t be re-used. Heraeus metallization pastes are much more customer and environmentally friendly: The paste can be stored at room temperature, which eradicates the infrastructure for freezers. Also, the waste is eliminated, since opened metallization pastes can easily be re-used again.

The further development of low temperature metallization pastes also results in large efficiency gains of above 0.1%, significant savings in the use of the precious metal silver as well as higher customer satisfaction due to simplified handling of the metallization paste.

“Heraeus Photovoltaics and Meyer Burger are both developing pioneering technologies for the renewable energies industry. Together we will join forces and exchange our expertise to spearhead the development of technologies for high-efficient heterojunction solar cells,” says Andreas Henning, Chief Technology Manager at Heraeus Photovoltaics.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Lets go ....

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is delivering a DESERT turnkey production line to Brazil, the first of its kind and hopefully the first in many breakthroughs to leave the factory floor on their way to the largest country in South America. With a capacity of 30 MW, this is a small semi-automatic DESERT production line, but still a flagship in terms of DESERT solar module production and electricity generation in the country, now fully functional and ready to start with operation.

The machinery consists of DESERT production machines for high-efficiency DESERT solar modules built specifically for extreme hot climate, such as can be seen in deserts or in tropical areas. Made solely in Germany and built using the latest in DESERT and TROPIC module production, the systems inlcudes all cutting-edge technology.

Certified DESERT solar modules, DESERT containers, DESERT power plants and DESERT manufacturing machinery built using pioneering DESERT and TROPICS technology are now fully set up, and ready to perform. But powering on the machinery has been a long time coming. Up until recently, this advanced piece of equipment had been waiting for clearance at a port in Brazil. Now that the formalities have been dealt with, both J.v.G. Thoma and its customer in Brazil can get production under way.

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is a company whose vision has always been to harness the infinite power of the sun and convert it into an inexhaustible supply of energy. But a vision such as this requires global reach, and this project has opened new doors. Brazil is not only a gateway to South American cooperation, but also the launchpad to international reach and expansion.

Following the delivery of this initial order, J.v.G. Thoma GmbH will be looking forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Brazilian company. From setup and initial training to setting the scene for a ramp up, J.v.G. Thoma will be there to provide expertise and assistance. Moreover, the company will be jointly responsible, along with the client, for the successful integration of the DESERT solar module factory.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Let

Source: Heraeus Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG