EDM texturing of multicrystalline silicon wafer and EFG ribbon for solar cell application

This paper presents a novel electrical discharge machining (EDM) texturing method for roughening mc-Si wafers and EFG ribbons for solar cell application. Experiments were carried out on an EDM die-sinker using a specially designed conductive and soft magnetic brush to texture the workpiece. The textured substrates were investigated and analysed using scanning electron microscope, and solar cells were made on textured samples to evaluate the effect of this method. Preliminary experimental results show that the throughput of this method can be over 1000 mm² minute with a brush of 100 mm diameter. Solar cells made on textured substrates give reasonable output.