Ultra-efficient people-friendly Czochralski technology for western solar value chain

Humanity needs more energy to support its development, and the climate crisis calls for utilization of renewable sources and elimination of fossil fuels. Silicon-based photovoltaics (PV) is forecasted by IEA to be our largest electricity source by 2030. The industrial ecosystem for silicon PV is presently in China, but global political unrest, trade wars, and international conflicts, the need for new jobs creation, and the strategic importance of industrial silicon PV competence have led to new governmental subsidies for re-establishment of silicon PV industry in USA (Inflation Reduction Act), India (Production Linked Incentive), and Europe (Net Zero Industry Act). The C2W project aims to resolve inherent challenges with safety, manpower intensity, and process stability in state-of-the-art Chinese technology for Czochralski ingot production. With the support from the Research Coucil, the partner companies RAAMS and Digloo will form a sound basis for cost-competitive production of CZ ingots and quartz crucibles, building on Norway's long experience in upstream silicon PV production and supporting the large need for new industry to replace oil and gas.

Humanity needs more energy to support its development, and the climate crisis calls for utilization of renewable sources and elimination of fossil fuels. Silicon-based photovoltaics (PV) is forecasted by IEA to be our largest electricity source by 2030. The industrial ecosystem for silicon PV is presently in China, but global political unrest, trade wars, and international conflicts, the need for new jobs creation, and the strategic importance of industrial silicon PV competence have led to new governmental subsidies for re-establishment of silicon PV industry in USA (Inflation Reduction Act), India (Production Linked Incentive), and Europe (Net Zero Industry Act). The C2W project aims to resolve inherent challenges with safety, manpower intensity, and process stability in state-of-the-art Chinese technology for Czochralski ingot production. With the support from the Research Coucil, the partner companies RAAMS and Digloo will form a sound basis for cost-competitive production of CZ ingots and quartz crucibles, building on Norway's long experience in upstream silicon PV production and supporting the large need for new industry to replace oil and gas.