Imagine if the expensive silver wires in solar panels could be replaced by cheap copper, like the wiring in your house. This project created a specialized machine that 'paints' copper onto ultra-thin solar wafers with extreme precision. It uses water-based baths instead of harsh chemicals to make solar panels cheaper and greener to produce.
Solar cell manufacturers rely on silver for metallisation, which is expensive and environmentally damaging. This represents over 30% of the total manufacturing cost and creates a dependency on critical raw materials.
An automated, water-based selective copper plating machine and a specific Ni/Cu stack process for ultra-thin wafers.
If you are a solar cell manufacturer dealing with high material costs and silver scarcity — this project developed a selective plating tool that reduces metallisation costs by 90%. It allows you to use abundant copper while maintaining high cell efficiency.
If you are a semiconductor packaging firm dealing with the need for high-conductivity contacts on thin substrates — this project developed a plating platform that handles ultra-thin wafers. This can be applied to advanced packaging to improve thermal and electrical performance.
If you are an electronics producer dealing with high carbon footprints and strict EU Green Deal regulations — this project developed a water-based plating process. It eliminates silver and reduces GHG emissions during the metallisation phase.
The technology aims to reduce metallisation costs by 90% by replacing expensive silver paste with low-cost copper.
Yes, the project developed an automated machine designed for throughputs compatible with gigawatt scale lines and validated it with a European gigafactory.
Based on available project data, the project is preparing for CE marked commercial equipment, though specific licensing terms are not listed.
The process uses water-based baths and is engineered for full compliance with EU safety and machinery regulations, supporting the EU Green Deal.
The project period runs from 2022-10-01 to 2025-05-31, indicating it is currently in the final stages of industrial validation.
The project is led by a single Italian SME, RISE TECHNOLOGY SRL, which holds a 100% industry ratio. This lean structure suggests a highly focused commercial drive, as the project is funded under the EIC Accelerator challenge to move a specific technology directly into the industrial market.
Contact RISE TECHNOLOGY SRL in Italy for commercial licensing and equipment inquiries.
Contact us to connect with the iSPLASH team for pilot integration.
