Manufacturing improvements at shell solar industries

Photovoltaic manufacturing costs are continuing to decrease as the volume and technologies mature. A major cost goal is to reach $2/Watt pack manufacturing cost. Shell solar is working on reducing cost across all manufacturing areas and believes the $2/Wp target is achievable in the near future. Work in the crystal growth area to reduce costs by improving growth yields, introducing new dopants for product stability and ingot etching for mechanical yield have all contributed to a 10% cost reduction year over year. Wafering contributions are to continue to cut thinner wafers, reduce wire thickness and to continue improvements in mechanical yield. Cell fabrications has improved with better efficiency, process control and better machine design. Module manufacturing improvements include LID-free materials, productivity gains through automation and improved power per unit. Together these improvements constitute the path to $2/Watt.