bifa Umweltinstitut: Ecoefficiency study of PV production

New process for cleaning and texturing silicon surfaces On behalf of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, bifa is examining the environmental and cost advantages of a new process for cleaning and texturing silicon surfaces in the photovoltaic industry.

Within the scope of the BMBF funded development scheme for the "Validation of the technological and societal innovation potential of scientific research – VIP+", the "Innovative wet chemical cleaning and nanotexturing of silicon surfaces (SiSTeC)" project is being implemented under the management of the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the University of Resources (Technische Universität Bergbauakademie Freiberg).

The objective of the SiSteC project is to develop a new process for simultaneous wet chemical cleaning and texturing of the surfaces of wafers made of monocrystalline silicon. Unlike conventional etching baths, the plan is for this process to be implemented at room temperature and in addition the energy demand and chemical use is to be reduced.

bifa will quantify and assess these expectations within the scope of an ecoefficiency analysis for determining both the environmental effects and the economic efficiency.