Germany’s SCHMID Introduces Acidic-Based TGV Etching System
Source：TaiyangNew
New tool delivers cost-effective solution for solar manufacturers with 35% reduction in power consumption
SCHMID Group says its acidic-based TGV etching system can adapt to both small-scale and high-volume manufacturing environments. (Photo Credit: SCHMID Group)
Key Takeaways
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SCHMID Group has introduced its new TGV etching system based on an acidic treatment solution
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It claims that this system can lower power consumption by 35% over traditional alkaline etching methods
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The company pitches it as a cost-effective solution for manufacturers looking to lower costs and maximize efficiency
Germany’s leading solar PV production equipment supplier SCHMID Group has launched a new acidic-based Through Glass Via (TGV) etching system that ‘outperforms’ traditional alkaline etching methods. The company claims its ‘revolutionary’ system leads to a 35% reduction in power consumption and is a more cost-effective etching solution.
It is engineered with a horizontal etching design, providing uniformity in the process and eliminating the need for cassettes, which lowers material and production costs. The TGV system can accommodate variable substrate sizes, ranging from 100 x 100 mm to 600 x 600 mm. This makes it highly adaptable for both small-scale and high-volume manufacturing environments.
SCHMID says its new TGV system set a new industry benchmark as it can seamlessly work with all common glass types with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) ranging from 3 to 9. It can maximize efficiency and foster sustainable manufacturing practices.
Simply put, the etching process helps remove unwanted deposition from the wafer surface, thus polishing the wafer to help convert more sunlight to electricity. This helps create a textured surface that can reduce light reflection, thus leading to more sunlight absorption. Etching is usually done by using a chemical solution that uses either acids or alkalis.
Both alkaline and acidic wet etching are the most preferred solutions in the industry today even though alkaline is preferred for monocrystalline silicon. SCHMID says its acidic-based TGV etching system simplifies operations, fosters sustainable manufacturing processes and delivers 6 to 8 times higher productivity.
“With this revolution in TGV etching technology, SCHMID continues to empower manufacturers with solutions that combine productivity, precision, and sustainability,” said Vice President Photovoltaics & Glass at SCHMID, Christian Buchner.
SCHMID says it is offering both lab versions as well as high-volume manufacturing (HVM) systems to meet customer requirements.