SEMI releases new PV manufacturing standard

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro- and nano-electronics industries, has announced the SEMI PV17-0611, a new standard to specify silicon feedstock for photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. It covers virgin silicon feedstock materials produced by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) processes, metallurgical refining processes, or other processes.
“The SEMI Standards PV Silicon Materials Task Force developed this standardised specification for solar grade feedstock materials, which will allow manufacturers to produce consistent silicon solar cells,” James Amano, senior director, SEMI standards and EHS, reportedly said. “We are pleased that the specification received input from major polysilicon suppliers from around the world. Industry consensus is very important to the standards development process.” The association has published 17 standards for PV manufacturing; also more than 25 additional PV standardisation efforts are underway.