Solar industry

The solar industry is playing an increasingly important role in the development of renewable energies. The manufacture of solar cells is a crucial step in the production of solar modules. The use of vacuum pumps is of crucial importance here.

Degassing of substrates: In the production of solar cells, substrates are used that often contain impurities and gases. Vacuum pumps are used to remove these gases from the substrates. This process, known as degassing, improves the quality of the substrates and optimizes the performance of the solar cells. By creating a vacuum, degassing is accelerated, which leads to better adhesion of the coatings to the substrates and improves electrical conductivity.

Deposition of layers: The deposition of layers on the substrates is another important step in the production of solar cells. Various materials such as silicon or cadmium telluride are deposited to create p-n junctions and generate the photon current. Vacuum pumps are used to evacuate the deposition chamber and create a vacuum. This prevents the presence of air or other contaminants that could affect the quality of the deposited layers. The vacuum allows precise control of the thickness and homogeneity of the layers, resulting in improved efficiency of the solar cells.

Cleaning of surfaces: Cleaning the surfaces of the substrates is a crucial step to ensure good adhesion of the deposited layers. Vacuum pumps are used to remove contaminants such as dust, grease or other particles from the surfaces. Generating a vacuum in cleaning chambers enables efficient cleaning of the substrate surfaces, resulting in improved solar cell quality.

Encapsulation of solar cells: Once the solar cells have been manufactured, they are often encapsulated in modules to protect them from external influences such as moisture or mechanical stress. Vacuum pumps also play an important role here. They are used to remove the air from the modules and create a vacuum before they are sealed. The vacuum prevents the ingress of moisture or other contaminants, which increases the service life and performance of the solar cells.