Lasers can contribute to optimizing the manufacturing costs and the efficiency of solar cells. The question is how? The answer, in a few words, is by drilling very small holes in solar cells at very high speeds. Currently, researchers from Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technologies in Achen, Germany, are able to drill 3000 holes per second, with a further plan to achieve 10,000 holes per second.

Guided laser beam cuts thousands of holes per second. (Image credit: Fraunhofer ILT)

By drilling tiny holes in the wafers (about 50 microns in diameter), contacts in solar cells can be moved to the back, removing electrodes which currently act as a dark grid and absorb light, which creates a whole lot more energy absorption area and increases energy yield significantly. The goal is to achieve 20% energy efficiency.

This is not the only application of laser technology for manufacturing solar cells. Lasers can and will be used for other processes that will make solar cell production cheaper. Using lasers means no, or less, contact with the silicon based materials, which reduces breakage and damage drastically. In thin film manufacturing, the use of lasers greatly improves thin film solar cell efficiency. The latest research into this technology brings a high-pulse laser that is ideal for ablating thin film layers, without heating the material, and the ability to process a 2 by 3 meter panel in under two minutes.