September 17, 2007

Phillipsburg, NJ, USA: Mallinckrodt Baker Introduces Solar Cell Surface Cleaner

Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc., has launched its BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner, a wet chemical cleaning solution incorporated in the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands’ (ECN) ECN-CLEAN™ process for manufacturing multi-crystalline silicon solar cells.

Solar cells produced utilizing BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner in the ECN-CLEAN process convert more incident light energy into electrical energy, generating more electricity than cells made without the benefit of the ECN-CLEAN process and BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner. Therefore, solar panels made from these more efficient, higher output solar cells generate more electricity per square meter than traditional solar arrays.

“The BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner provides photovoltaic cell manufacturers with a powerful surface cleaning chemistry proven to increase the value of the solar cells they produce,” said John Harris, global marketing manager, photovoltaic materials at Mallinckrodt Baker. “The launch of this innovative solution aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to provide market-leading surface preparation chemistries that enhance our customers’ production and manufacturing capabilities.”

Mallinckrodt Baker says that solar cells manufactured with BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner in the ECN-CLEAN process exhibit relative energy conversion efficiency gains of two percent, providing more electricity output per unit of incident solar radiation. The combination of BakerClean PV-160 chemistry and the ECN-CLEAN process provides solar cell manufacturers with a distinct competitive advantage, as they can produce solar cells with higher electrical output. This increased value does not end with the solar cell manufacturer.

Mallinckrodt Baker explains that solar modules and systems utilizing cells made with the BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner also deliver more electricity, thus increasing their value to the end user as well. With an expected return on investment of less than 6 months from implementation, customers will quickly realize the benefits of adopting the BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner and ECN-CLEAN processing step.

The BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner in the ECN-CLEAN process is already being used by several companies to manufacture solar cells in production quantities. Additionally, equipment to apply BakerClean PV-160 solar cell surface cleaner in the ECN-CLEAN process is commercially available from multiple suppliers.

Further details about: Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc.