What is a photovoltaic (PV) solar cell?

Central to this solar revolution are Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, experiencing a meteoric rise in both demand and importance. For professionals in the field, a deep understanding of the manufacturing process of these cells is more than just theoretical knowledge.

How do photovoltaic solar panels work?

Photovoltaic solar panels (PV), are composed of silicon semiconductors, which capture energy from the sun’s rays. The process is named the photovoltaic effect. When exposed to the sun, PV solar panels produce energy in the form of a direct current charge, which can be measured in a unit of watts. You can learn more about how solar panels work here.

How are PV solar cells made?

The manufacturing process of PV solar cells necessitates specialized equipment, each contributing significantly to the final product’s quality and efficiency: Silicon Ingot and Wafer Manufacturing Tools: These transform raw silicon into crystalline ingots and then slice them into thin wafers, forming the substrate of the solar cells.

How has global solar PV manufacturing capacity changed over the last decade?

Global solar PV manufacturing capacity has increasingly moved from Europe, Japan and the United States to China over the last decade. China has invested over USD 50 billion in new PV supply capacity – ten times more than Europe − and created more than 300 000 manufacturing jobs across the solar PV value chain since 2011.

Is polysilicon a bottleneck for solar PV?

Global capacity for manufacturing wafers and cells, which are key solar PV elements, and for assembling them into solar panels (also known as modules), exceeded demand by at least 100% at the end of 2021. By contrast, production of polysilicon, the key material for solar PV, is currently a bottleneck in an otherwise oversupplied supply chain.

Do you offer a complete set of PV machines?

We offer a complete set of PV machines covering all solar manufacturing processes. We offer complete solar panel production lines for global customers to manufacture photovoltaic modules based on their specific requirements.