The development of the market and the production technology of polycrystalline silicon

Abstract

The article is devoted to the current state and prospects of production development of main material — polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) which is used in the manufacture of products for micro and power electronics and photovoltaics. The article includes polycrystalline silicon market dynamics analysis. It is noted that the increase in polysilicon output is primarily connected to the growing needs of photovoltaics and the global trend of transition to renewable, alternative energy. It is assumed that the annual increase in the output of polysilicon will reach a level of 10−15 % or more. There are several facts that are important for the intensive development of photovoltaics. They include level of polycrystalline silicon technology and the availability of this material for large−scale production of highly efficient solar cells. According to forecasts, the main technology used in the industry based on «Siemens Process» will remain dominant in the foreseeable period of time. LLC «Kremniytehnoprom» is developing a modern polysilicon production project based on the original designs and modernization of «Siemens Process». It is planned to be created in Russia with the involvement of leading German specialists and enterprises (SPSC GmbH, GEC GmbH). The project provides maximum safety of production, despite the potential risks inherent in technology. First of all it is ensured by guarantees of hardware−technological schemes performance, reliability of the equipment and design solutions in general, as well as by a set of emergency protections. Toxic production waste will be processed into safe substances — targeted products for sale. The created enterprise will ensure the optimization of key indicators for competitive production: the price of polysilicon, production volumes, specific capital investments and current unit costs.