1. PV Pastes an example for industrial leadership in Europe
Heraeus Precious Metals
Dr. Michael Jörger, VP R&D

2. Outline Heraeus, a material supplier in the PV Market
PV industry trends
Case study – line conductivity
How to remain competitive in Europe (PV Pastes)
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

3. Heraeus at a glance
Heraeus is a globally active precious metals and technology Group with firm roots in Germany.
The company has been family-owned for over 160 years.
We operate in global niche markets characterised by lasting growth and attractive returns.
13,300 employees, €4.8 billion product revenue, €21.3 billion precious metals trading revenue
Key markets – Precious Metals, Materials and Technologies, Sensors, Dental Products, Biomaterials and Medical Products, Quartz Glass, Specialty Light Sources
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

4. Heraeus and the PV Market
Leading supplier of front side metallization pastes
Globally present production and R&D sites
Collaborator with specialised equipment manufacturers worldwide
Partner with European universities and research institutes on technical projects
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

5. Our Core Competences
35 years expertise in R&D and manufacturing thick film pastes
In-house R&D facility
Own precious metals, glass powder and vehicle production
In house precious metals trading department
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

6. Ag * Front side contacts Front side busbars Rear side pads
* Back side field
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

7. Market development – PV cell production
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

8. PV installations Source: EPIA January 2012
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

9. Cost pressure for PV industry
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

10. PV Pastes and Other Materials Market
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

11. Options for Cost Reduction
Higher efficiency
Alternative glasses
Improved contact resistance
Less material
Fine line printing
Higher density lines
Alternative material → Ag-free or Ag-reduced
Alternative production methods
Seed layer
Plating
Galvanisation
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

12. 20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

13. 96xx aims for higher eff. and lower paste usage
Ph. 3
New Gen.
Seed layer
Sampled
Current product
Multi Cell Eff. (%)
SOL96XX (better contact)
(2012)
SOL9455 (Fine Line)
SOL9411
(2011)
SOL9235H
(2010)
We can simplify customer’s technical needs into the two: improve eff. and decrease paste usage.
Our development follows that trend. To grow out of our current main product SOL9411, we took three different approaches to meet customer’s need. Newly developed Fine line paste SOL9455 which is being scaled up can improve eff. upto 0.1% and save paste up to 10% compared to SOL Low Ag paste 9442 although can save upto 40% of paste, need further improvement on eff.
Improve contact is the key driver for FS paste. We are taking multiple approaches to address this challenge, which I will describe in my next few slides.
In Hanau we have half scientist take care of developing seed layer for plating process, in which paste usage will be significantly dropped as shown on the chart.
FS Ag paste usage (gram/cell)
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

14. Critical improvements over the years: line conductivity (1)
Improved line conductivity
Sintering
Higher silver percentage resulting in denser fingers
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

15. Critical improvements over the years: line conductivity (2)
Improved line conductivity
Sintering
Better line uniformity
Improved line uniformity
Smaller difference min-max
Obtained by improvements in vehicle (binders and solvents)
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

16. Critical improvements over the years: line conductivity (3)
Improved line conductivity
Sintering
Better line uniformity
Better aspect ratio and availability of better screens
2009
2010
2011
2012
SOL9117
SOL9235H
SOL9411
SOL9600
130µm
100µm
63µm
55µm
In the years, screen printing tools and screens have been improved, but the major jump forwards has been made by the paste manufacturers.
In 2006, printing a 160 micron line with an average height of 16 to 18 micron was state of the art. By just improving the paste quality, it is possible now to make higher lines with have the width, resulting in a finger with comparable conductivity, but which only have the surface area covered.
By using print on print, which is possible due the precision of the newest hardware with an accuracy of only 10 micron, lines of less than 70 micron with a height of over 40 micron can be obtained. This means that you could either chose to reduce the percentage of the wafer covered by metal, or by placing more fingers on the wafer and keep the same percentage metal coverage and facilitate an even higher sheet resistance
52µm
63µm
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

17. How to remain competitive in Europe
Close interdisciplinary collaboration with research institutes and entire industry value chain, from powder to solar cell module
Maintain leading edge in material & process development
Strong equipment and manufacturing base in Europe
Strict intellectual property protection
Guarantee material supply chain, strengthen security of supply of raw materials
Highly educated workforce
Guarantee innovation friendly environment!!!
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus

18. Thank you for your attention!
Dr. Michael B. Jörger
Vice President R&D Thick Film Division
Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG
Heraeusstr
63450 Hanau
Germany
Tel:
20 June 2012, Industrial Technologies 2012, Dr. Joerger, Heraeus