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RCZ is emerging as the mainstream crystal growth approach, while CCZ remains part of future technology roadmaps
Crystal growth equipment is evolving toward larger hot zones, bigger charge sizes, and compatibility with larger crystal formats
AI-assisted crystal pulling and centralized monitoring systems are enabling more automated, data-driven process control with tighter oxygen and material quality management
As the solar industry pushes for higher-efficiency cell architectures, upstream material quality requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. This shift is also driving changes in crystal growth technologies and equipment platforms.
Milind S. Kulkarni, Chairman and CEO of RSOLEC, emphasizes that RCZ is emerging as the mainstream approach to crystal growth, while CCZ appears in forward-looking roadmaps. On the equipment side, the strongest theme is the ability to pull bigger and smarter with lower oxygen content. The equipment evolution is clearly towards larger hot zones, bigger charge sizes, and compatibility with larger crystal formats.
The tool generations are transitioning from 1600- to 1700- and 1800-class crystal pullers with hot zone sizes reaching up to approximately 42 inches, according to leading crystal growth and wafering equipment supplier Linton Technologies. However, the more profound shift lies in process control. Linton, for example, emphasized AI-assisted ‘one-click’ crystal pulling, which enables automated control of necking and shouldering, as well as centralized monitoring systems. With 99% accuracy, these systems mark the sector’s transition from operator-intensive growth toward data-driven, software-assisted process control.
At the same time, material quality requirements are tightening. Oxygen levels are being controlled to around 6 ppm, while minority-carrier lifetime targets are moving into the ≥ 5,000 to 7,000 μs range, alongside improved resistivity uniformity.
These developments indicate that crystal growth is gradually shifting from a mechanically intensive process to a software-assisted, quality-driven manufacturing stage (see Energy And Scale Reshape Polysilicon Manufacturing).
The text is an edited excerpt from TaiyangNews’ latest report on Cell & Module Technologies Trends 2026, which can be downloaded for free here.
