Solar panels are well recognised as key elements in the growth in the supply of renewable energy. What is less well known is that the manufacture of solar panels, and more specifically the photovoltaic (PV) cells which are integral parts of solar panels, depends on Ultra High Purity Quartz Sand.
PV cells are produced from monocrystalline silicon ingots that in turn have been grown in high purity quartz crucibles using the Czochralski process. The stability of the high purity quartz crucibles used for the Czochralski process are critical to the manufacture of silicon ingots. The performance of the quartz crucibles is in turn guaranteed by the careful selection of Ultra High Purity Quartz Sand that meets extremely demanding purity requirements, for example with regard to alkali levels.
UltraHPQ Ultra High Purity Quartz Sand from Queensland in Australia has been independently tested by the globally recognised technical and engineering consultancy, Anzaplan, for its quality and “fitness for use” to be used in the manufacture of quartz crucibles intended for silicon ingot production using the Czochralski process. Comparison with industry “benchmark” high purity quartz is shown below.
