Producing electricity from the Sun: photovoltaic energy 

From sunlight to electricity, the path to transformation is complex and requires the use of photovoltaic panels that capture solar energy.

To date, two main technologies exist for producing photovoltaic panels. The conventional technology—known as "crystalline" (85% of the current market)—involves cutting silicon ingots into slices called "wafers," which are then transformed into photovoltaic panels. The more innovative thin film technology enables the elaboration of panels on glass or other substrates by using gases to deposit the elements that will constitute these layers. This technology, which currently represents just 15% of the market, is seeing rapid growth.

Whichever technology is used, the manufacture of photovoltaic panels requires a great quantity of high purity gases.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases and services for the photovoltaic industry. Over the half of the ten major manufacturers of crystalline silicon solar panels are clients of the Group, which supplies the world’s three largest production sites.

Air Liquide produces and supplies silane, which is used to manufacture silicon ingots or thin films, as well as the "doping" gases that modify the electronic properties of silicon so that electricity can be produced, and the carrier gases that transport these gases…

The Group is also involved in research programs in Europe, the Americas and Asia to develop technologies that use gas more efficiently while reducing the environmental impact of the panels manufacturing process.

More about

• New photovoltaic contracts in China
• Largest European nitrogen production unit for German photovoltaic industry
• Consolidating Leadership in Photovoltaic Industry
• Major contracts signed worldwide with photovoltaic industry leaders