Successful completion of the EU-funded project HighLite

Low-cost modules with excellent environmental properties and high performance for a competitive EU photovoltaic production industry.

Chemnitz, Germany, June 13, 2023— In order to strengthen the competitiveness of the European photovoltaic industry and create appeals for investments, the EU funding project “HighLite” was launched in 2020. The project, which involved 18 European partners from research and industry, ended in May 2023.

3D-Micromac AG, the industry leader in laser micromachining and roll-to-roll laser systems for the semiconductor, photovoltaic, glass, and display markets, developed within the framework of the “HighLite” project the new microCELL MCS, a high-throughput system for cutting solar cells.

At one of the final meetings at the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec), Belgium, the project results were presented to representatives of the European Commission.

The project’s main goal was to develop knowledge-based production solutions for solar modules with high performance, low cost, and excellent environmental characteristics. One part of the project was developing production solutions for cutting and assembling 100 to 160 µm thin silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells into modules in shingle design with high efficiencies. Therefore 3D-Micromac developed the high throughput system microCELL MCS for cutting half cells, 1/3 cells up to 1/6 cell strips for wafer sizes up to M12+ (G12+). Based on the patented TLS-Dicing® technology, the high-precision laser system separates solar cells with clean and microcrack-free edges. The laser system significantly contributes to increasing module output with a throughput of more than 6,000 wafers per hour. The development of this system was an essential step toward achieving the HighLite project goals.

Well-known representatives of the European photovoltaic product industry have successfully applied the microCELL MCS laser system. Among them are, for example, Heckert Solar GmbH from Germany and the Italian energy group Enel S.p.A. At the 3D-Micromac site in Chemnitz, microCELL MCS systems are permanently available to process applications and contract manufacturing orders.

microCELL-MCS

The microCELL MCS for cutting solar cells

ShingledCells

Shingled Cells

About 3D-Micromac

Founded in 2002, 3D-Micromac AG is the industry leader in laser micromachining, delivering powerful, user-friendly and leading-edge processes with superior production efficiency. We develop processes, machines and turnkey solutions at the highest technical and technological level. 3D-Micromac systems and services have been successfully implemented in various high-tech industries worldwide, including photovoltaic, semiconductor, glass and display industries, micro diagnostics, and medical technology.

Company Contact:

Mandy Gebhardt
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
3D-Micromac AG
Tel: +49 371 40043-922

Agency Contact:

David Moreno
Principal
Open Sky Communications
Tel: +1.415.519.3915
E-mail: dmoreno@openskypr.com