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A direct route to produce solar grade silicon at low cost ('SOLSILC')

Cel

Objectives and problems to be solved: General objective of the project is to research and develop the new two-step high temperature plasma-process for solar grade silicon (sog-Si) production, to test the processing and efficiency of SOLSILC cells, to evaluate an approach for scale-up and to investigate relevant technical, environmental and economical aspects. After the SOLSILC project a pilot demonstration on scale (2 years) is anticipated, in order to achieve a market price of 10 Euro/kg sog-Si in a full-scale plant of 5.000 tm/y in 2005. The new sog-Si process was developed and studied by the Norwegian and Swedish partners and evaluated by the Dutch partners. The perspective of this process (low-energy, high yield, low impurities, experience with other metallurgical processes, direct route) is a low cost sog-Si of constant quality in sufficient quantities. The project relies on expertise of Si, Sic, metallurgical and PV cell processing of the R&D partners, in combination with the exploitation expertise of the market partner. Description of work: The work consists of process optimisation, product evaluation (PV cell efficiencies) and technical, economical and environmental evaluations of a follow-up approach. The work has been divided in technical work packages (at 3 R&D locations) and supportive work packages. Development of low-purity Si-process facility, including raw materials selection and supply and development of a Si refinement process for the removal of carbon.
2. Testing of low-purity Si-process. A test facility will be built to test and optimise the two- step Si production process. The work includes modification of a specific plasma torch.
3. Production of artificial solar grade silicon for preliminary testing of the process with respect to its performance in solar cells.%4. Material assessment of artificial solar grade Si to evaluate whether the material properties are compatible with a solar cell production process.
5. Development of high-purity Si-production process, including design and preparation of a 20 kg/hr test facility for both steps of the process.
6. Testing & optimisation of high-purity Si production process and production of high-purity sog-Si.
7. Material assessment of sog-Si with respect to a solar cell production process.
8. Design of high-purity Si-process pilot installation (1.000 tm/y) including cost engineering's. Technical feasibility and risk assessment, in relation to competing technologies and including identification of alternative routes. The supportive work packages are: economical and environmental assessment, exploitation and dissemination, and project management. Expected Results and Exploitation Plans: After 6 months a low-purity test facility is developed and built. After 12 months this low-purity process is tested and optimised, so that in 18 months a preliminary conclusion on techno-economic feasibility can be made. After 24 months the high-purity test facility is designed and constructed. A conclusion on the feasibility of the pilot plant will be drawn in 30 months. Finally the integral process feasibility is checked and the technology implementation plan is started.

Zaproszenie do składania wniosków

Data not available

System finansowania

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Koordynator

SCANARC PLASMA TECHNOLOGIES AB
Wkład UE
Brak danych
Adres
Vaernavaegen 7
HOFORS
Szwecja

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Koszt całkowity
Brak danych

Uczestnicy (3)