Our sun is a source of both light and power and could be the key to powering a greener, sustainable world. As we continuously look for ways to shift towards renewable energy sources, the solar industry has emerged as a key facilitator in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling sustainable energy. One of the critical components in the production of solar cells and panels is the vacuum pump.
At Atlas Copco Vacuum Solutions, our range vacuum pumps and boosters are constantly at work to make the production process more energy-efficient while helping to roll out higher quality and defect-free solar panels.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels are made up of many small units called photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells are usually made of silicon, a semiconductor material. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. This process is called the photovoltaic effect. The PV cells have an electric field that forces the freed electrons to move in a certain direction, creating an electric current.
This current is captured by wiring in the solar panel and can be used as electricity to power homes, businesses, and other applications. The electricity generated is in the form of direct current (DC). An inverter converts this DC into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electricity used in most homes and businesses. The AC electricity can then be used to power electrical devices, stored in batteries for later use, or fed back into the power grid.
Applications of vacuum pumps in solar cell production
Crystal growing and casting
Silicon crystals are the foundation of solar cells. Vacuum pumps are used to create a controlled environment by removing air and other gases. This helps in achieving the high purity levels required forsilicon crystal pulling. Our dry vacuum pumps are specifically designed for corrosion resistance and dust handling capability which is a requirement in this application
Deposition and encapsulation
Vacuum environments are crucial for processes such as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and physical vapor deposition (PVD). These processes ensure uniform distribution and purity of thin-film materials. Vacuum encapsulation prevents oxidation and moisture ingress, enhancing the lifespan and reliability of solar cells.
Fabrication and lamination
Vacuum pumps are used during the doping and diffusion stages of solar cell fabrication to manage byproducts and ensure high efficiency. During lamination, the laid solar cell is placed in a laminating machine, the air in the solar panel is extracted by vacuuming, ensuring that there are no air bubbles in the solar panel, the solar cell strings are evenly spaced, and the bus bars are straight.
Atlas Copco vacuum pumps for solar industry needs
Vacuum pumps play a vital role in the solar industry, from silicon wafer production to solar cell manufacturing and encapsulation. Our dry vacuum pumps are highly recommended for these application for their clean, tough, corrosion-resistant build and functioning.
The DWS VSD+ dry screw vacuum is a reliable oil free solution that is ideal for solar laminating chambers. Its constant flow sealing system, gas system with manual gas ballast control and non-contacting long-life seals ensures longer uptime and low maintenance. That means less hassle for you and more productivity for your process.
Another option is our DZS 100-400 VSD+ A dry claw. These dry vacuum pumps deliver the ideal vacuum level required - around 200 mbar(a) - for different stages of the solar panel process. Low noise levels, operator-friendly control, easy maintenance, and lower operation costs also makes these machine a reliable choice.
For an extra boost, we also have range of reliable mechanical boosters that can be integrated in your system easily. Mechanical booster pumps are always backed by another vacuum pump, which can deliver against a high-pressure differential to atmospheric pressure. Operating at relatively low pressures, a mechanical booster pump is not exposed to the same concentrations of corrosive process media as is the backing pump, which makes it highly reliable.
We can also modify and customize each solution to suit your specific process needs, so that you achieve maximum productivity with minimum post-installation hassles.