Solar Power World

Building better solar cells

Two primary photovoltaic technologies are used to make solar energy modules: crystalline silicon and thin film. Crystalline silicon technology currently makes up about 80% of the market. This technology uses silicon wafers as its main raw material. The wafers are cut from cast ingots in very thin slices with a thickness in the range of 200 to 300 µm. The finished solar panels are assembled into arrays, which are often servo-motor driven to maintain their position for maximum... Read More

Vision sensor spots tiny solar-cell flaws

SensoPart Industriesensorik GmbH (Wieden, Germany) expanded its program of vision sensors by adding a product for photovoltaics: The new vision solar sensor FA 46 is the only sensor in its price category, says the company, that measures each individual cell and is able to identify the smallest bevel inconsistencies. Thereby, it offers ideal conditions for its use in handling areas of wafer and cell manufacturing. The vision solar sensor FA 46 examines cracks and defects of... Read More

How fused quartz improves solar panels

As the photovoltaic industry develops, fused quartz becomes more vital in creating thin films and silicon chips as well as in manufacturing and laboratory ware. The success of renewable-energy sources depends on improved efficiencies. Fused quartz is a material of primary importance because it improves the efficiency of solar powered devices. It’s also  helping researchers drive down the cost of solar devices. Here’s how. Quartz glass is used in many facets of photovoltaic... Read More