A global first: The 18-μm opening screen printing process on solar cells is unveiled.

 Heraeus Photovoltaics, the worldwide leading supplier of metallization solutions to the PV industry, announced today that it has jointly developed and successfully ramped up the 18-μm opening screen printing process on solar cells with Jinergy Clean Energy Technology Ltd. (“Jinergy”), a global leader in the solar industry. This ultra-fine-line (UFL) printing process is the world’s first breakthrough in the double-print technology.

Compared with the 22-μm opening screen printing employed in mass production, the 18-μm opening screen process has improved the efficiency by 0.05% and reduced the paste cost by over 15%, setting a technical benchmark in the quest for UFL printability, efficiency gains and cost leadership in the PV industry.

On the signing ceremony at 2018 SNEC International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Exhibition & Conference, Mr. Liyou Yang, general manager of Jinergy, said, “Ever since its inception, Jinergy has established and maintained a long-term strategic partnership with Heraeus. Without such a close collaboration and combined R&D strength and innovations, we would not be able to remove the technical barriers to UFL printing and therefore realize the 18-μm opening screen process. As two world-leading players in the PV manufacturing value chain, Heraeus and Jinergy will further our cooperation, make joint efforts to promote technical progress and development of the clean energy industry and make contributions to the society.”

“We are pleased to work with ambitious and innovative companies like Jinergy, to embrace changes and challenges in the PV industry. This year will see a dynamic PV market. We believe these ground-breaking technologies and processes will fully play their roles in the PV industry. We are well prepared for this, and expect to further the cooperation with Jinergy to create more values for the PV value chain.” said Dr. Weiming Zhang, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Heraeus Photovoltaics.

The 18-μm opening screen printing process is based on Heraeus SOL9642B series, a newly upgraded double-print front-side silver paste. This new generation product carries all the advantages of the SOL9641A and 9641B platforms and ensures outstanding efficiency gain through improved double-print ultra-fine-line printability with higher aspect ratio.

The strategic agreement will create a good platform to promote more comprehensive and in-depth cooperation between the two companies, including testing and ramp-up of the new-generation SOL9652X series, with the aim of increasing efficiency by means of ultra-fine line printing.