Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
aeb6711e-8f4d-4045-9f4e-6ed76b1dfd8c
Materials
Associated ID
e5646f8e-5766-4fff-8d4c-0f238c64a1a2
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
Photovoltaic cells convert light into electricity and are a key component of solar panels. The cell measures 156 mm × 156 mm with a surface density of approximately 0.68 kg/m². This dataset includes primary raw and auxiliary materials, energy consumption, atmospheric emissions, and waste generated during the production process. Infrastructure such as manufacturing equipment and facility construction is excluded from the system boundary. The data inventory is derived from literature. The production of multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells involves the following processes: texturing, cleaning, alkaline cleaning, acid cleaning, phosphorus diffusion, PSG removal, etching, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, screen printing, sintering, and inspection.
Activity Description
The production of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells includes processes such as texturing, cleaning, alkaline washing, acid washing, phosphorus diffusion, PSG removal, etching, plasma chemical vapor deposition, screen printing with drying and sintering, and inspection.
Process Description
This product represents 1 Wp polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells convert light into electricity and serve as building blocks for large solar panels. Polycrystalline silicon consists of many small silicon crystals, whereas monocrystalline silicon is composed of a single continuous crystal. Polycrystalline cells typically have lower efficiency than monocrystalline photovoltaic cells.
Time period
2012
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
The production of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells includes processes such as texturing, cleaning, alkaline washing, acid washing, phosphorus diffusion, PSG removal, etching, plasma chemical vapor deposition, screen printing with drying and sintering, and inspection.