Materials

Silicon Wafer

Summary

Thin silicon slice (~150-170 μm thick) cut from a silicon ingot; the substrate on which solar cells are built.

Detailed Explanation

Wafers are produced by growing polysilicon into ingots (via Czochralski for mono or directional solidification for multi), then slicing with diamond wire saws. Modern wafers are 182mm or 210mm in size (2026 standard) and 140-160 μm thick. Thinner wafers save silicon but require more careful handling. Major wafer producers: LONGi, TCL Zhonghuan, Jinko Solar, Shuangliang. Wafer cost is 15-20% of module price.