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Defects and charge dynamics in 3C- and 4H-SiC investigated by surface Photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic (PC) water splitting for hydrogen and/or oxygen generation is leading the way not only to green hydrogen production, but also to oxygen generators working solely on water basis. The quest for stable materials that can work with solar light as a basis has identified two superior photoactive material candidates, namely silicon carbide (SiC) and copper oxide (Cu 2 O) materials, based on a number of criteria such as cost, abundancy, toxicity and sustainability. The optimum photoelectrical conversion electrode is often a very complex system, where the focus is on a very fast separation of the generated charges in order to increase the current densities out of the cells. The charge dynamics of the complex systems, be it on SiC, Cu 2 O or any other photoactive material, can best be measured using time resolved surface photovoltage spectroscopy/measurements. The SPVcheck tool is again the optimum choice, because it can be configured in a flexible way concerning sample geometry and energy selection range. A 2 UV/VIS light source (480 and 660 nm) approach can give a lot information about the charge dynamics in the photoelectrode and can be used to check the quality of the photoelectrical conversion electrodes in a high-volume production setup. 4H-SiC under UV light 3C-SiC under normal light (solar spectrum) Related Solutions and Industries: Epitaxial Layers & Thin Films Matching Products SPS/SPV series HR-SPSmap with fixed energy excitation sources High-Resolution and Sensitive Surface Photovoltage Measurement Solutions Learn more SPS/SPV series HR-SPSmap with variable energy excitation source with a variable energy excitation source Learn more Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

Dr. Christian Hagendorf Project & Key Account Manager The market launch of RESmap was a special milestone – a game changer for the semiconductor industry. Prof. Dr. Christian Hagendorf Project & Key Account Manager Christian has been part of #TeamFI for almost a year now. Christian is Key Account Manager for our #XRD measurement tools, supports the product development of RESmap and shares his extensive know-how both internally and externally. Christian, what was your first touchpoint with Freiberg Instruments? From 2007 to the end of 2023, I headed a research group at the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP. There were numerous overlaps through development and project work. My desire to play a more active role in innovative product developments and technology transfers in the #semiconductor industry ultimately led me to Freiberg Instruments. What are you particularly proud of? The market launch of RESmap in May 2024 was a special milestone. RESmap is a non-contact resistance measurement device for the production and quality control of ingots and wafers with unsurpassed precision - a game changer for the semiconductor industry. What else do you want to achieve with FI in the future? We are driven by innovation, speed and customer focus. Our goal is to develop automated and even more intelligent XRD measurement systems for the semiconductor industry. With our tools, we want to enable maximum precision in the processing of semiconductor crystals. What drives you? Solving complex problems quickly and efficiently. This is only possible with #teamwork and flexibility, which is also the biggest challenge in our job. Your best FI moment? I appreciate working with strong partners like Malvern Panalytical. I particularly remember the kick-off for the acquisition of six XRD measurement tools and the associated key technologies. Together with an international team, we started the transfer of know-how and planned global sales. How does FI support your professional development? I have held an honorary professorship at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences since 2022. FI gives me the flexibility I need, which enables important research and development collaborations in the field of metrology. I benefit from this, as do my students. Your balance to the job? Jazz! Have a listen: www.valentineb.de Christian is Driven by Innovation Let's drive innovation together Current job openings Get to know the team Dr. Viktoriia Nikonova Productmanager Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy Learn more Martin Ferkinghoff Head of Service Learn more Marcus Richter Application & Service Engineer XRD Learn more Burkhard Winkler Senior Sales Engineer for semiconductors and automation Learn more Diana Trinks Assistant to the management Learn more Marcus Göhler Head of Electronics Development Learn more Thanga Kumar Global Sales Director Learn more Dr. Nadine Schüler Head of Research and Development Learn more

Martin Ferkinghoff Head of Service Freiberg Instruments is the right place for you if you enjoy achieving milestones as part of a team, remain curious and have a desire for change. Martin Ferkinghoff Head of Service Since April 2023, Martin has headed the Freiberg Instruments service department and ensures that all of our partners' devices work perfectly. His mission: to solve customer problems quickly and actively prevent them. Martin, what was your first point of contact with FI? Before I joined #TeamFI, I was responsible for the external training of apprentices in the Freiberg region - including the mechatronics engineers at Freiberg Instruments. I liked the spirit and drive of the company and quickly had the feeling that it could be a good match for me. What do you associate with our guiding principle “Driven by Innovation”? Always questioning achieved goals. Freiberg Instruments is the right place for you if you enjoy achieving milestones as part of a team, remain curious and have a desire for change. What else do you want to achieve with FI in the future? As “Pinky and the Brain” have already said: We want to take over the world (in measurement technology). ? What are you particularly proud of? There is nothing that I would like to explicitly emphasize. I love solving problems as part of a team. Every day brings new challenges and I'm proud of every task I solve. The biggest challenge in your job? Completing a wide range of tasks while keeping an eye on all expectations. This is only possible with a solution-oriented way of working. What is your balance to your job? I clear my head in the water - I'm a passionate swimmer. Apart from that, I ride my motorcycle and love working on Trabants. How does FI support your professional development? In my case: by giving me a lot of freedom. Martin ist Driven by Innovation Let's drive innovation together Current job openings Get to know the team Dr. Viktoriia Nikonova Productmanager Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy Learn more Dr. Christian Hagendorf Projekt- & Key Account Manager XRD Series Learn more Marcus Richter Application & Service Engineer XRD Learn more Burkhard Winkler Senior Sales Engineer for semiconductors and automation Learn more Diana Trinks Assistant to the management Learn more Marcus Göhler Head of Electronics Development Learn more Thanga Kumar Global Sales Director Learn more Dr. Nadine Schüler Head of Research and Development Learn more

Production Monitoring according to IEC 62804 standard Potential Induced Degradation (PID) is a significant reliability issue in photovoltaic (PV) power plants. It is crucial to assess the susceptibility of products to PID early in the production process. The PIDcon system is designed to help manufacturers test their products and evaluate encapsulation materials at the earliest possible stage in the production chain. PIDcon enables routine quality control for standard production cells, testing of new processes, material or layer variations, and qualification for various module production steps. The PID being referred to here involves shunting of solar cells caused by high-voltage stress-induced leakage currents (PID-s). The PIDcon's construction is nearly identical to the IEC standard (see figure 1). The sample stack, consisting of a solar cell, EVA foil, and glass, simulates a solar module. This method allows for the testing of both solar cells and encapsulation materials. Figure 2 illustrates a typical PIDcon measurement of a PID-sensitive solar cell. Key Advantages of PIDcon Over Conventional Module Testing No Climate Chamber Needed Early Measurement in the Production Chain Suitable for Both Research and Routine Production Quality Control Short Testing Duration (typically 4 to 8 hours) Measurement and Recording of Shunt Resistance with Estimation of Power Loss Fig. 1: measurement setup of a PIDcon Fig. 2: typical result of a PIDcon measurement Matching Products PID series PIDcon bifacial Quality Control Solution for Bifacial PERC/PERC+, HIT, Topcon, c-Si Solar Cells, Mini Modules, and More Learn more Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

Solar Cell Classification The PIDcon enables quick, routine quality control of solar cell PID susceptibility, unaffected by the EVA foil and glass Potential Induced Degradation (PID) poses a significant reliability issue in PV power plants, making it essential to assess products for their susceptibility to PID. The PIDcon system enables manufacturers to test their products as early as possible in the production process, starting at the solar cell level, and to evaluate the encapsulation materials as well. This allows for independent investigation of the solar cell and its SiNx layer, separate from the effects of the EVA and glass. The type of PID considered here involves shunting of solar cells due to high-voltage stress-induced leakage currents (PID-s). To effectively classify solar cells, it is crucial to use sensitive EVA and glass materials so that the solar cell itself becomes the critical factor influencing the PID susceptibility of the entire stack. A lamination step can be added prior to measurement to enhance comparability with actual modules. The solar cells are connected using gold contact pins, which can be adjusted to fit the busbar design, even for island busbars. The PIDStudio software allows users to set pass/fail criteria for the test, suggesting defaults based on IEC standards and insights from Fraunhofer CSP scientists. Fig. 1: Solar cell with EVA foil and glass placed in a PIDcon Matching Products PID series PIDcon bifacial Quality Control Solution for Bifacial PERC/PERC+, HIT, Topcon, c-Si Solar Cells, Mini Modules, and More Learn more Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

Glass Evaluation Glass resistivity is key to PID susceptibility and must be tested independently from the solar cell and EVA Since the PV community recognized the PID issue, extensive research has shown that both the solar cell and its SiNx layer, as well as the encapsulation materials, significantly impact a module's PID susceptibility. In addition to the polymer foil, the glass also plays a critical role and needs to be evaluated. The PIDcon system allows for the assessment of glass influence on PID susceptibility. Using a sample stack that simulates a module, the user simply places the solar cell, EVA foil, and the glass to be tested. For accurate comparison, solar cells from the same batch and the same EVA foil should be used. Table 1 presents the ion analysis of various glass types tested via ICP. Table 1: Ion analysis of the investigated glass types by ICP Fig. 1: PIDcon measurement with the same type of solar cell and EVA foil and different glass types Fig. 2: dependency of the decrease in parallel resistance on the glas type [1] For more information please read: [1] V. Naumann, Ursachenanalyse und physikalische Modellbildung für potenzial-induzierte Degradation von Silizium-Solarzellen, Dissertation, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (2014) Matching Products PID series PIDcon bifacial Quality Control Solution for Bifacial PERC/PERC+, HIT, Topcon, c-Si Solar Cells, Mini Modules, and More Learn more Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

Mini-module Classification The PIDcon benchtop system offers fast, cost-effective routine quality control for mini-modules' PID susceptibility, without the need for a climate chamber Potential Induced Degradation (PID) is a critical reliability issue in PV power plants, making it essential to assess products for their susceptibility to PID. The PIDcon system helps manufacturers test products earlier in the production chain, such as mini-modules. The PID in question refers to the shunting of solar cells caused by high-voltage stress-induced leakage currents (PID-s). Mini-modules are contacted at two points, with a contact check ensuring proper connection. The PIDStudi o software allows users to define pass/fail criteria and also provides recommended settings based on IEC standards and the expertise of Fraunhofer CSP scientists. Matching Products PID series PIDcon bifacial Quality Control Solution for Bifacial PERC/PERC+, HIT, Topcon, c-Si Solar Cells, Mini Modules, and More Learn more Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

XRDStudio Cutting-Edge Software for Controlling X-ray Diffractometers User-Friendly and Advanced Operating Software Multiple Operating Modes Operator Mode : Designed for fixed measurement parameters, ensuring a safe and streamlined workflow. Administrator Mode : Allows for the creation and modification of measurement recipes, as well as adjustments for new materials. Intuitive Guided Interface Ensures a seamless and efficient workflow for users of all experience levels. Pre-Defined and Customizable Recipes Choose from a range of ready-made recipes or create custom ones to suit specific needs. Automatic Display of Results and Correction Values Instant visualization of measurement results along with automatic correction values to fine-tune crystal orientation. Mapping Capabilities Advanced mapping features for precise measurement analysis. Import/Export Functions Effortlessly import and export data for easy sharing and integration with other systems. Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

EVA Evaluation PIDcon allows producers to test both solar cells and encapsulation materials, with a focus on EVA foil’s impact on PID susceptibility The PIDcon allows for the investigation of how EVA foil affects PID susceptibility using a sample stack that simulates a module. To perform the test, the user simply places a solar cell, the EVA foil to be tested, and a glass layer on top. For accurate comparison, solar cells from the same batch and the same type of glass should be used. As shown in Figure 1, a noticeable difference in PID susceptibility is observed between the two EVA foils. EVA 1 demonstrates significantly better performance for modules than EVA 2. Fig. 1: comparison of different EVA foils with solar cells from the same batch and the same glass Fig. 2: measurement setup of a PIDcon Matching Products PID series PIDcon bifacial Quality Control Solution for Bifacial PERC/PERC+, HIT, Topcon, c-Si Solar Cells, Mini Modules, and More Learn more Get in touch Do not hesitate to contact us – we are available to assist you with any inquiries or requests. Use our inquiry tool or reach out via email: sales @ freiberginstruments.com

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