Project “FEUERDRACHE”: Process development and control of contact firing processes for high-efficiency silicon solar cells

Abstract

Being a key technology in silicon solar cell production, the firing process conducted in infrared (IR) lamp powered conveyor belt furnaces is well established in the market. The purpose of the project FEUERDRACHE is to advance the classic firing process by raising throughput, energy efficiency and process control via increasing the process variability. To achieve the latter, an industry-oriented furnace is expanded by innovative features, which are thoroughly investigated: 1) faster belt velocity; 2) novel IR lamps; 3) thermography as an inline-capable alternative to thermocouple measurements 4) high-power laser as an alternative to a heated chamber.