The exciting and ever-evolving industry of solar energy brings much to discuss in today’s post, revolving around the production of PV (photovoltaic) ingots and wafers. These elements crucially factor into solar panels for your home, ensuring optimal energy production. In recent years, there have been aspirations and efforts to re-establish this production in Europe and the United States, but this is no small task – much like deciding on a solar company invested in the future of green energy might be.
Why so? The production of PV ingots and wafers is an energy-intensive process creating residue known as kerf slurry, contributing to the sustainability challenge of solar array for home use. This process most commonly takes place in China, with a whopping 96% of global ingot and wafer production based there in 2023.
This sizable proportion comes down to a successful pivot in PV manufacturing around 2018, favoring monocrystalline technology that proved highly popular on the consumer market – basically, everyone looking for solar companies to provide solar panels for their homes. Chinese equipment manufacturers rapidly adopted this new technology, streamlining the manufacturing process to stand out in performance and cost efficiency amongst competitors.
However, Europe and the United States are not without hope in the realm of ingot and wafer production. Before we dive into their potential, let’s look at the current status of production outside of China. In gray contrast to Europe where wafer production is relatively quiet, South East Asia houses approximately 35 GW of wafer facilities, expected to increase to 45 GW by the end of 2024.
Uncertain yet hopeful twists also lie in the United States’ solar industry future. Federal incentives, such as the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), have stimulated growth in announced yearly solar manufacturing capacity but are yet to translate into many realized ingot and wafer production facilities.
Despite the inherent challenges in securing environmental approvals for wafer operations outside of China, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Many waste and recycling issues connected to wafer production have been progressively addressed. Companies like South Korean Qcells adapt, investing in establishing annual ingot, wafer, and cell production capacity within the US.
Moreover, the diversification of manufacturing to encompass things like “direct wafers” shows a glimmer of hope for breaking free from traditional, wasteful manufacturing processes. NexWafe, a German company, and the US company CubicPV are both experimenting with different approaches to wafer production – paving the way for an innovative future in the solar industry.
Selecting a solar company for the installation of a solar array for your home isn’t just about current efficiency – it’s also about supporting a sustainable future. By understanding the state of the global solar industry, you can make an informed choice that benefits you, the industry, and the planet.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/04/thin-prospects-for-ingot-wafer-and-solar-cell-manufacturing/