Generating solar energy is considered "green technology", even though the production of solar cells predominantly uses process stages that have been common practice in the semiconductor industry for many years. As in the semiconductor industry the production of solar cells employs dangerous and environmentally harmful substances, which require abatement according to legal provisions.

The production of photovoltaic cells therefore is subject to strict requirements for abatement processes. Solutions need to be easy and cost-effective. The contaminated waste waters and waste gases should, under no circumstances, lower performance, endanger the health and safety of humans, or otherwise negatively affect the availability of production facilities. The safety of the production line must be guaranteed at every step and in every operating situation. 

Requirements for Abatement Solutions in the Photovoltaic Industry

The demand for so-called "grid-parity" puts the photovoltaic industry under high cost pressures. The producers of solar cells therefore have expressed a growing demand for standardized processes and facilities. Integrated abatement solutions for the photovoltaic industry are therefore characterized by equally high proficiency in treatment of contaminated waste gases as well as waste waters. At the same time, all components need to harmonize and be compatible. The abatement technology must guarantee the continued compliance with all legally binding emission regulations like TA-Luft (German Clean Air Regulations). And moreover, they should be adaptable to future legal regulations without any additional investment.

Competency and Know-how

DAS Environmental Expert GmbH specializes in waste gas abatement and waste water treatment solutions that meet the highest safety and quality standards. Abatement technology by the Dresden company has been employed in the semiconductor industry worldwide and successfully for more than 15 years.

As a specialist for "point of use" (POU) abatement technology, DAS not only possesses extensive know-how for abatement of contaminated waste gases, but also the technological competence to deliver answers on the topics operating safety and equipment integration specifically for the photovoltaic industry. Our knowledge is the basis to develop and provide abatement solutions that individually meet each specific demand. DAS Environmental Expert GmbH, moreover, has many years of experience in the treatment of contaminated, demanding industrial waste waters - specifically particle-containing waste waters as they occur in the solar industry.

Based on this expertise DAS Environmental Expert develops economically sensible abatement solutions that are characterized by high functionality and high operating safety. To achieve this goal, DAS does not rely on adapting equipment from other fields of use, but develops specific solutions personalized to each customer's application. 

On customer demand DAS Environmental Expert also delivers equipment for production supply with softened water as well as ultra pure water and we provide optional recycling processes, which significantly lower operating costs.

Highest reliability while keeping operating costs low - is the strength of abatement solutions made in Dresden. With its technology, DAS Environmental Expert ensures that photovoltaic will maintain its growth opportunity as a "green" and environmentally friendly technology and as an alternative in renewable energy.

Water

Cleaning and rinsing, cutting and sawing, staining, texturing and coating, down to cleaning the fab – the solar industry’s entire process chain generates waste gases and waste waters that are contaminated at varying degrees with silicon- or metal dusts; highly alkaline or acidic water also requires treatment and, depending on the process, PEG, fluoride and ammonium might need to be removed from the water. In addition, the production requires high-standard ultra pure water. 

DAS EE looks back on more than 15 years of service experience to solar fabs and our technology offers a unique combination of waste gas abatement and waste water treatment solutions.