Commercialization of silicon sheet via the String Ribbon crystal growth technique

String Ribbon is a method for producing continuous crystalline silicon ribbon for solar cell use. Inherently simple and robust, it is now being deployed to produce commercial quantities of silicon solar cell modules. Among the advantages of the process are no degradation of ribbon surface quality due to hot zone aging, a high tolerance of temperature variations, a simple method for continuous melt replenishment-and thus continuous ribbon production, and the ability to cut ribbon "on the fly". The growth furnaces have a small footprint, are low cost, and have proved to be easy to install and commission. The ribbon is cut to finished solar cell dimensions using diamond scribes. Anticipated improvements include increased process automation, wider and thinner growth.