DuPont launches new generation of low-silver content photovoltaic cell metal paste

DuPont Microcircuit Materials recently launched DuPont™ Solamet® PV51M conductor paste as a new back electrode material for manufacturing solar cells. This breakthrough material formula can reduce the material usage of battery manufacturers by up to 15%. DuPont said that this product is in line with DuPont's vision: to help the photovoltaic industry reduce its dependence on precious metal silver and reduce the impact of rising silver prices on the manufacturing costs of solar cells and modules.

Peter Brenner, global marketing manager for photovoltaic products at DuPont Microcircuit Materials, said: "Helping customers maximize efficiency and minimize overall costs by reducing silver content is a challenge that the DuPont team is happy to accept. The launch of Solamet® PV51M once again proves that DuPont has the ability to explore new scientific miracles by incorporating creative thinking into its R&D work. At the same time, DuPont has rich experience in achieving rapid marketization of products and thereby maintaining its leading position in the electrode slurry industry."

Solamet®PV51M conductive silver paste can save up to 15% of the dosage while maintaining the same electrical performance as mainstream products such as Solamet®PV505. PV51M has high printability and can be co-fired with Solamet® front conductive silver paste (including Solamet®PV16x and the latest Solamet®PV17A). The excellent soldering performance of Solamet®PV51M can help customers further reduce the printing area and optimize the product dosage without affecting the performance of the terminal components.

In the future, DuPont's research and development work is expected to continue to launch new Solamet® products, with a plan to reduce the silver content of existing products by 20%. As part of the technology blueprint of DuPont Microcircuit Materials Division, the goal is to achieve a conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon cells exceeding 20% ​​in 2012 and reduce the manufacturing cost per watt.