University to Produce Silicon Ingots

University-Based Silicon Ingot Production Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University is producing silicon ingots at 6N purity, which will be used in solar energy panels. At the laboratory opened by Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank on 21 February, silicon ingots are being produced at 6N purity. Following the production phase, the first stage of the project, the silicon ingots will be thinly sliced for use in solar cells.

Produced Silicon Ingots Will Be Used in Solar Energy Panels

Rector of Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Prof. Dr. Hasan Uslu emphasized that the laboratory opened by Minister Mustafa Varank demonstrates the global importance of energy utilization and conversion. Explaining that they are purifying silicon to harness solar energy, one of the world's largest energy sources, Uslu stated: "Through silicon purification, we produce what we call 'ingots' – silicon blocks. In the next phase, we will produce our domestic and national solar cells and panels. Our aim here is to be domestic and national. We want to achieve 22 percent efficiency in single-sided solar cells and 23 percent in double-sided cells. We are close to that now. The ingot we have here has a single crystal structure.

First Phase of Project Produces N/P Type Silicon Ingots at 6N Purity

Dr. Ayşe Seyhan, Director of the Nanotechnology Application and Research Center, also provided comments. Seyhan stated that the setup of the production system for n/p type silicon ingots at 6N purity, the first stage of the project, has been completed at the laboratory and noted that in the second phase of the project, the silicon ingots will be thinly sliced for use in solar cells. Seyhan explained that they will slice the ingots into thin sections 180 microns thick and added that they will perform chemical patterning on the sliced sections.

"We Can Conduct Joint Work with Solar Cell Producers in the Region and Country"

Seyhan stated: "On the other side of our laboratory, we are producing what we call solar cells – semiconductor devices. When solar cells are combined, they form panels. The actual technology in solar energy lies in the cells and this section. We are planning this for the next phase. In the third phase of our project, we will conduct purification starting from sand. When we complete the project, we will become a center where the entire silicon value chain is studied in a university, in a public institution. Having this technology in Turkey is very important to us and being in a public institution is of great significance. Thanks to our center, we will source raw materials from here; with the solar cell infrastructure we have at our center, we will produce high-efficiency solar cells, which will then be converted into panels. We are an important R&D center. We can conduct joint work with solar cell producers in the region and country."