The pilot production line of photovoltaic solar cells was put into operation today at the Institute Mihailo Pupin. This is the first such production line of solar cells based on silicium monocrystals in Serbia. Moreover, this is the first such production line in Serbia which was developed on the basis of the innovative project „THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF PHOTOVOLATIC SOLAR CELLS ON SILICIUM MONOCRYSTALS“. The Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ltd, Belgrade and IMP-Piezotechnology carried out this project  The Ministry of Science and Technology , Serbia  subfinanced this project.

The decision to start developing the technology of semiconductors on silicium monocrystals was made according to the fact that IMP-Piezotehnology had already  used the quartz technology  and this technology greatly matches with the silicium technology. Besides, IMP-Piezotechnology has the appropriate  technical equipment and it has developed the expertise in the technology of solar cells on silicium mocrystals.

The only phase which could not be carried out with the existing resources was a diffusion process because special equipment is needed for this phase.The key part of the equipment is a DIFFUSION FURNACE.This furnace has to achieve the accuracy +- 1/2 °C in a temperature scope from 800 °C to 1350°C. Most of the necessary equipment was second-hand so that it was needed to invest a lot into its general repair in order to put it into operation.

The pilot production line of photovoltaic solar cells can produce from 50.000 to 200.000 pieces of  3 inches solar cells  (diameter 76mm) and to provide the further development and research in the solar cells area in order to follow the world trends in this field in Serbia and to employ available capacities in this certainly space technology.

The photovoltaic solar cells produced in the Institute“Mihajlo Pupin“ shall be used for installment in the „small“ format panels for signalling devices for roads and waterways, communication and telecommunication devices, portable devices as well as for the different general purpose devices.