SunDrive says it has achieved over 99% copper plating production yield at its pilot factory
These copper-plated solar cells are being turned into solar modules, proving their commercialization is possible
The company is applying for ARENA’s Solar Sunshot along with Trinasolar for the technology’s production at scale
SunDrive, the Australian solar PV technology company, has announced a ‘huge milestone’ as it achieved a copper plating production yield of over 99% at its commercial pilot production factory in Kurnell ‘with those cells being turned into modules.’
“What started as a lab concept has now reached production yields exceeding 99% - a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication,” stated the company in a LinkedIn post.
SunDrive’s claim assumes significance as it aims to produce industrialized solar cells, replacing expensive silver with its lower-cost alternative copper to pull the electric current. This is expected to lead to major cost reduction since copper is ‘around 100 times cheaper as a raw material than silver.’
Speaking with local renewable energy news portal Renew Economy, SunDrive CEO Natalie Malligan said that a yield above 99% on a pilot line is higher than most commercial-scale production tools. This proves that its technology will work at a mass scale, she added.
Founded by graduates from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the company secured AUD 11 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to bring its copper-based solar cell metallization technology to commercialization which was contingent on SunDrive achieving certain milestones (see Australian Solar Tech Company Bags AUD 11 Million).
It recently entered a partnership with Chinese manufacturer Trinasolar to produce solar modules at scale in Australia using its copper metallization technology. Both the partners now aim for a slice of the country’s industrial support policy Solar Sunshot, being administered by ARENA (see Trinasolar To Expand Manufacturing Footprint To Australia).
Copper-based metallization, silver consumption and cost reduction are some of the subjects TaiyangNews is discussing at its 4-day annual flagship event High Efficiency Solar Technologies 2024 Conference. While day 1 focused on TOPCon and day 2 on HJT on December 2 and 3 respectively, day 3 on December 10 will continue the discussion on TOPCon. The conference ends on December 11 with a focus on XBC and next-generation technologies. Registrations to the conference are free and can be done here.
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