Solar
Fiber lasers have seen an increasing level of growth in the solar industry over the last few years, especially in the manufacture of thin-film solar cells, particularly for the scribing and cutting of silicon.
A major application for the solar industry is the scribing and cutting of silicon wafers for use in the solar cell manufacturing industry.
The laser marking application can be used for the marking of solar cells. This includes marking the aluminium frames as well as the thin film substrates with serial numbers, product numbers and other types of marks. If marked deeply, these would be a form of laser engraving.
Laser welding is frequently used in the manufacturing of solar cells. The contactless process is a major benefit of using a fiber laser.
Watch this video, which demonstrates the pulsed fiber laser cutting of silicon, which is a very common requirement in the solar industry
The application of high-speed laser drilling is also ideal for the processing of silicon wafers in the manufacturing of solar cells. This process is fully programmed to produce the cells rapidly and can seamlessly be integrated into a manufacturing production line.
SPI Lasers and the solar industry
This material needs to be cut finely and smoothly and can be achieved by one of our redPOWER R4 continuous wave lasers, making it the perfect choice for the industry. With quick processing times, smaller kerf widths, little dross and the ability to process different levels of wafer thickness, fiber lasers are quickly becoming the preferred choice for the solar industry.
Fiber lasers are expected to make further penetration within the solar industry, particularly as there are constant new breakthroughs and innovations in fiber lasers and new demands from the solar industry. SPI’s range of pulsed and continuous wave fiber lasers will be able to meet many of these demands.
The solar industry can benefit from any of SPI Lasers main applications, especially as we have previously said fiber laser cutting. Other available applications include 3D printing (additive manufacturing), ablation, cleaning, drilling, engraving, marking and welding. Why not contact us here at SPI Lasers to explore how our fiber lasers can benefit your organisation?
Why not read some of the solar industry application insights and postcards which we have posted below. These demonstrate the capability of fiber laser technology in the solar industry.
What is a Solar Cell and How Does it Work?
Posted on 03/03/2020Solar cells are becoming more commonplace as the adoption of renewable energy technologies increases and the need to cut carbon emissions becomes more apparent. Although solar cells have been around for some time, many people may not understand... read more >
How can Fiber Lasers be used in the Drilling of Silicon Wafers?
Application InsightPosted on 15/06/2019
Fiber lasers can be used for a range of applications, a particular favourite is drilling. Working with many materials, fiber lasers are especially useful at drilling silicon wafers. These are especially used in printed circuit board and solar cell... read more >
How are Fiber Lasers Used in Photovoltaic Cell Manufacturing?
Posted on 15/06/2019Fiber lasers are widely used across a multitude of industries. An industry which is a heavy-duty adopter is the solar cell industry, particularly in the field of photovoltaic cell manufacturing. We go on to discuss this topic in our latest Q&A... read more >
Precision Cutting, Dicing and Scribing of Silicon Wafers
Application InsightPosted on 06/11/2015
Lasers have been used to process wafers for many years. The main benefits of using a Laser are: Faster processing times; Smaller kerf widths; Minimal dross; No micro-cracking; Ability to process different wafer materials and... read more >
Silicon Scribing with Fiber Lasers
Posted on 06/11/2015Silicon is widely used in a number of industries but primarily in solar cells and in semiconductor manufacture, with growing applications in jewellery and entertainment goods. In the majority of applications the source material is in the form of... read more >
Silicon Cutting with Fiber Lasers
Posted on 06/11/2015Silicon is widely used in a number of industries but primarily in solar cells and in semiconductor manufacture, with growing applications in jewellery and entertainment goods. In the majority of applications the source material is in the form of... read more >