SCHOTT Solar and SCHMID win Intersolar Award 2012 for silver-free PV manufacturing technique

The jury recognized the two companies’ joint approach “TinPad” – a system that allows for tin contacts to be applied to 6-inch solar cells that is now ready to be used in manufacturing.



Silver is known to be a critical cost factor in cell manufacturing. Replacing the material on the backside with tin, which is considerably less expensive, saves about 6 U.S. cents per wafer. Unfortunately, efforts to do so have failed in the past due to poor adhesion to aluminum.



Thanks to the technique that has been patented by SCHOTT Solar, no silver whatsoever needs to be used in the backside contacts of the solar cell and adhesive force that is twice as high as necessary can be achieved. The SCHMID Group expects to begin shipping initial TinPad systems starting in September.



About the Intersolar Award

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Intersolar Award, the organizers of the world’s largest trade exhibition for the solar industry have presented their innovation award among its 3,500 international participants. This award takes not only technologies, but also the diversity and individual characters of specific markets into consideration. Number of characters: 1.401 including empty spaces



About SCHMID Group



SCHMID Group provides highly efficient system and process solutions for the entire solar wafers, cells and modules supply chain. Starting with the single machine right up to the turnkey factory, including guaranteed performance parameters, such as production capacity and degree of efficiency. Innovative process technologies are developed in own technology centers in partnership with universities and research facilities and are made ready for the market.



SCHMID Group | Gebr. SCHMID GmbH

Magdalena Harter (Corporate News)

Christoph Kübler (Technology)

Robert-Bosch-Str. 32-36

72250 Freudenstadt

Germany

Tel: +49 7441 538 0

press@schmid-group.com