Heraeus Photovoltaics, the worldwide leading supplier of metallization solutions to the PV industry, today announced a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Rietech Solar, a China-based manufacturer of silicon wafers for solar cells. Under the agreement, Rietech Solar will upgrade its manufacturing process to use HeraGlaze, the new high-purity SiO2 diffusion barrier coating from Heraeus, for mass production of it multi-crystalline wafers. For Heraeus, the agreement represents a major step to expand its presence upstream in the solar photovoltaic value chain.

Developed in 2017, HeraGlaze represents a breakthrough innovation the very first step of the of the solar cell manufacturing process, when poly-crystalline silicon blocks are melted into a single silicon ingot. To deliver the highest quality of the ingot and the eventual end product, the solar wafer, HeraGlaze is applied as a slurry on the porous surface of the crucibles. HeraGlaze acts as a barrier and prevents thermally-induced impurities, such as iron, from transferring from the crucible to the silicon ingot during the melting and crystallization of silicon. By increasing the usable section of the silicon ingot, Heraeus will be able to increase Rietech’s wafer output yield by 3% and its customers’ cell efficiency by 0.05%. This will enable Rietech’s multi-crystalline wafers to defend its market share against aggressive price competition from mono-crystalline wafers.

In less than a year, the HeraGlaze® coating has gone from the research lab to the real world to produce impressive results for wafer manufacturers, including:

·         Consistent increases in yield and cell efficiency

·         Tighter distribution of efficiency in multi-crystalline PERC cells

·         Lower levels of iron, resulting in higher energy harvest due to lower light induced degradation (LID)

Additionally, Heraeus Photovoltaics will work with Rietech on advanced research and development programs to produce the next generation of high-efficient wafers based on the HeraGlaze technology. Dr. Weiming Zhang, EVP and CTO of Heraeus Photovoltaics, said, “Rietech and Heraeus both share the belief that advancing the adoption of solar energy cannot occur in isolation, which is why we are committed to working together. HeraGlaze can be a game-changer for Rietech’s wafer manufacturing process and will help them consolidate their leadership in ‘full-melt’ process for manufacturing multi-crystalline wafers.”

About the Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit

The Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit is an industry leading developer and manufacturer of silver metallization pastes for the photovoltaic industry. For over 40 years, Heraeus has built a reputation of innovation, extensive research and new product development in thick film technologies for some of the most prominent companies within a variety of industries. In the field of photovoltaics, the Heraeus Photovoltaics Business Unit applies this history and its innovative technology to offer metallization pastes for solar cell applications. The Heraeus SOL Series of silver pastes is specially formulated to provide higher efficiencies and wider processing windows, resulting in better yields and higher output for cell manufacturers.

About Heraeus

Heraeus, the technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a leading international family-owned company formed in 1851. With expertise, a focus on innovations, operational excellence and an entrepreneurial leadership, we strive to continuously improve the businesses of our customers around the world.

We create high-quality solutions for our customers and strengthen their long-term competitiveness by combining material expertise with technological know-how. Our ideas are focused on important issues such as the environment, energy, health, mobility and industrial applications. Our portfolio ranges from components to coordinated material systems which are used in a wide variety of industries, including the steel, electronics, chemical, automotive and telecommunications industries.

In the 2016 financial year, the FORTUNE Global 500 listed company generated revenues without precious metals of €2.0 bn and a total revenue of €21.5 bn. With approximately 12,400 employees worldwide in more than 100 subsidiaries in 40 countries, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets. In 2016, the Foundation for Family Businesses named Heraeus as one of the “Top 10 Family Businesses” in Germany.