A solar battery manufacturing process

1. Solar cell precision screen printing

From the solar cell manufacturing process (Figure 1) we can clearly see that: The main production process of solar cells is five precision screen printing. In the flow chart, 1 is the screen printing of CdS film; 4 is the screen printing of CdTe film; 5 is the screen printing of C electrode; 7 is the precision screen printing of Ag+In electrode; 8 is the Ag electrode Precision screen printing.

2. Special functional ink In the screen printing function ink, the solar cell ink (as it is called) is a novel and unique functional ink. It should be said that the research, development and commercialization of these special functional inks are solar energy. The most basic and critical factor in battery manufacturing technology. They are:
(1) CdS ink main agent: CdS high-purity powder (5N), with a particle size of 2 to 3 μm.
Auxiliaries: CdCl2 powder 9.1% (wt).
Binder: Propylene, ethylene glycol (appropriate amount).
(2) CdTe ink main agent: Cd powder (5N) and Te powder (6N) were added in equal amounts, and the powder particle size was 0.5 μm.
Auxiliaries: 0.5% (wt) CdCl2 powder.
Binder: Propylene, ethylene glycol (appropriate amount).
(3) Carbon (C) ink In the carbon ink, 10 to 50 ppm of copper impurities are added.
(4) Ag+In ink 20% (wt) In powder was added to the Ag ink.
(5) Ag inks Ag inks are sold in the market and are particularly concerned about their metallic silver content when purchased.

Second, the high-tech screen printing

1. High-tech screen printing from the perspective of solar energy research and development According to the research and development plan of solar energy, the development trend of solar cells is to develop from large-scale centralized type to small-scale decentralized type from the ground, and to develop solar cells for use in space power plants.

According to the authoritative opinion of solar cell research experts, the key to the development of solar cells is to reduce costs. To this end, they put forward three opinions:

(1) Reduce the production cost of silicon materials;
(2) Continue the research and development of new technologies, new processes, and new materials, and drastically reduce production costs;
(3) Improve the technical level of special printing and realize high-volume, high-quality printing.

From these three points put forward by experts, as screen printers, we should be very pleased and proud to tell friends engaged in solar cell research, so-called “special printing” (ie, screen printing). Equipment, process and technology have already been able to complete a variety of high-precision screen printing (of course, including solar cell screen printing) with high speed, high volume, and high quality.

The so-called “continuing the research and development of new technologies, new processes, and new materials” has the following two levels of meaning.

First, as far as the current situation is concerned, screen printing has room and opportunities for continued development in the new energy industry, the pillar industry in the era of knowledge economy; of course, this includes higher requirements for screen printers. Especially the research on new solar cell screen printing materials. We cannot satisfy the status quo. We must continue to innovate to meet the needs of the development of new energy science and technology in the new century.

Secondly, does the so-called “Continuing the research and development of new technologies, new processes, and new materials” say that there is a competition that is visible or temporarily invisible or that confrontation is being carried out quietly? In the face of such a situation, it is engaged in high technology. Screen printing researchers can't be idle at all times.

2. Enlightenment of special functional ink

In the field of printing, why besides screen-printing products can be integrated into high-tech (in the operation of high-tech equipment), and other forms of printing (including lithography, letterpress printing, gravure printing, or even emerging high-tech printing such as computer inkjet printing , sublimation printing, digital printing, etc.) but it can not be? This is a very worthwhile study. In addition to screen printing, this special type of screen printing, the rise of special functional ink is a factor that cannot be ignored. Looking at screen printing products that are integrated into high-tech, whether it is the special functional inks of semiconductors (CdS/CdTe) and electrodes (Ag, C, Ag+In) in solar cells, or the silver in the manufacturing technology of membrane switches ( Pulp) inks, carbon (pulp) inks, insulating inks; Pb/Sn inks in SMT; plating inks, resist inks, solder mask inks in printed circuit board manufacturing technology... We can seem to say: no screen printing The research and innovation of special functional inks by workers and the high-tech of screen printing products can only be an unrealistic fantasy. Due to limited space, the author will discuss the special functional inks in screen printing in the future.

3. Have the courage to innovate and look at the international market

In the 21st century, the competition in the printing field will become even more intense. In addition to the increasingly fierce competition between the traditional four printing formats: flat, convex, concave, and net (hole), the newly emerging computer inkjet, sublimation printing, and inkjet The challenge and impact of printing, digital printing, and so on, which people call it a new type of printing technology, will not be based on people's will. Faced with such a severe situation, the screen printing industry should have a sober understanding. Of course, we will not be easily defeated. Apart from our “sticking to” positions and striving to innovate in the traditional field of screen printing, we must do a better job in screen printing in the high-tech fields where other forms of printing are incapable. At the same time, as screen printing, there is still a unique and broader space for development. We should take the initiative to target the high-tech field, aim at the pillar industries in the era of knowledge economy, and aim at areas where screen printing has not yet entered. Since high-tech needs screen printing, and screen printing has such strength, why don't we work hard or not? In the face of fierce competition in the domestic printing industry, sometimes we will see a very sad scene. That is to compete with each other, the mutual bargaining price between printing companies, and this kind of low-level fratricidal "competition" is actually inadequate. The ancients said: "Retreat one step, and a brighter future." Yes, why are those screen printing companies, which are quite talented and economically strong, and especially those that are already immersed in high-tech silk screen printing, "can't take a step back? Why don't we?" Can bravely stand in the forefront of high-tech screen printing, and gradually pull out from the whirlpool of disorderly or malicious competition among domestic printing companies, and focus on the international market. As long as we dare to fight, dare to innovate, and dare to make waves in the international market, we will surely obtain greater and better economic and social benefits.

Author / Xiong Xiangyu Source: Dye-sensitized solar cell network