This technique is projected to reduce solar panel manufacturing costs by upwards of 60% compared to industry standards, while making them 25% more efficient, and resulting in a very cost-effective source of energy.
Using Particle Accelerator Technology to Manufacture Solar Cells
Contributed by | Rayton Solar
Rayton Solar is a California-based solar panel company that aims to develop the world’s most cost-effective source of energy. By bringing together essential particle accelerator technology and solar energy manufacturing, Rayton has created silicon cutting and handling techniques that can be leveraged to transform the way electricity is generated around the world.
How it Works
The key to Rayton's cost savings lies in their ability to increase silicon yield with their patent-pending silicon cutting process. Rayton Solar is capable of making up to 100 times as many solar panels with the same amount of silicon as its competitors use to make just one panel.
Rayton’s technique has also unlocked the commercial viability of ultra pure electronic grade silicon – Float Zone Silicon – for use in a solar panel. Silicon is the most expensive component of a solar panel and Float Zone Silicon (FZ) is 10 times as expensive as the market standard Czochralski Process Silicon (CZ). By reducing wafer thickness to 3 microns and eliminating waste - Rayton is able to utilize FZ economically. No other solar manufacturer in history has been able to economically use FZ, which provides Rayton with the potential to produce up to 24% efficient solar panels.
Rayton believes this efficiency increase means that buyers would require 25% less solar panels than they do today. The savings are seen down the entire solar system vertical - including installation, racking, land, and maintenance costs.
The standard industry manufacturing process wastes half the raw silicon block due to the saw blade that is used to cut silicon. Rayton Solar's manufacturing technology is a zero waste process that represents a revolutionary new step for the solar industry.
Have a look at their StartEngine Crowd Funding Page here.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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