Institute Silicon Photovoltaics

Up-LLPC: Upscaling of Laser Liquid Phase Crystallization

This project aims to scale up the industrial manufacturing processes used in the laser-based liquid phase crystallization of silicon solar modules. The method involved is centered around the rapid melting of thin silicon layers on glass substrates. The energy required to do this is introduced into the silicon layer selectively using highly efficient CW diode lasers. This initiates a crystal growth process which ultimately produces solar modules with higher efficiency ranging up to 16%.

As an added benefit of this laser-based method, the crystal layer is grown directly on cost-effective window glass. This means that the layer thickness, and therefore the amount of silicon needed, can be reduced to a tenth of what is normally required by conventional methods. LLPC technology thus harbors the potential to deliver tremendous cost and energy savings.

The following groups are collaborating on this project:

• Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (Institute for Silicon Photovoltaics)
• Jülich Research Centre (IEK5 Photovoltaics)
• LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH

This project is supported by the European Union and the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia.