News

14 September 2009

 

DuPont launches metallization paste for thin-film PV

US-based DuPont has launched Solamet PV412 photovoltaic (PV) metallization paste, the latest in a line of silver conductor materials developed for thin-film PV technologies.

“Solar cell manufacturers can significantly reduce their cost per watt of solar energy by using high-performing materials that allow them to achieve higher cell efficiencies, higher production yields, and more efficient use of materials,” says Robert Cockerill, Thin Film Photovoltaic marketing manager - DuPont Microcircuit Materials. “We worked closely with leading thin-film PV manufacturers as we developed Solamet PV412, because we share a common goal of enabling more cost-effective manufacturing of solar cells with improved efficiency and yield to help solar energy become more competitive with other forms of energy generation.”

In particular, as it developed Solamet PV412, DuPont collaborated with Ascent Solar Technologies Inc (ASTI) of Thornton, CO, USA, a developer of flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules based on copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS).

“Innovative materials are critical to advancing our technology for thin-film photovoltaics,” says Dr Prem Nath, ASTI's senior VP production-operations. “ASTI is building a position as a leader in the production of lightweight flexible photovoltaics used for portable power and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products,” he adds. “As our technology has evolved, the ability to work closely with our supplier DuPont in early-stage testing as it adapted Solamet photovoltaic metallizations to other materials and manufacturing processes has been a big advantage.”

Solamet PV412 photovoltaic metallization paste is designed for use on devices where a transparent conductive oxide is used. It suits use with CIGS, amorphous silicon (a-Si) on flexible substrates, and heterojunction with intrinsic thin layers (HIT) PV cells, as well as any PV application where a low-temperature curing conductor is required. Key features include fine line printing down to 80 micron resolution, long screen residence time for robust printer operation, low contact resistance, low gridline resistance, high adhesion to indium tin oxide, and strong compatibility with most transparent conductive oxides.

Solamet is part of a growing portfolio of products represented by DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. DuPont expects to nearly triple its annual PV sales across all product platforms to more than $1bn in 2012 based on strong fundamentals for long-term revenue growth in the solar energy market. Thin-film PV is projected to be the fastest-growing segment of the solar module industry, mainly because of its potential to reduce the cost of producing solar energy.

Search: DuPont Ascent Solar CIGS

Visit: http://photovoltaics.dupont.com