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Directory:RSI Silicon
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RSI Silicon has developed a proprietary process to manufacture solar grade silicon with a purity of 99.9999+% (6N’s). The manufacturing processes have been commercially in use for over fifty years.
Its founders recognized that the processing of solar grade energy was too expensive and dependent on the Siemens Process Methodology. RSI has rewritten the way to make solar grade silicon using proven processes from other industries. This new innovative methodology will assist many countries achieve their renewable energy goals by making Solar Energy a viable proposition for energy producers.
Contents |
Official Website
Latest Developments
Dr. Steve Amendola, along with his experienced team, has commenced building the first plant. It is envisaged that production at the 1,000 metric tonne per annum plant based in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, will commence Q3 2008.
RSI anticipates completing a new plant in 2009 that will have a production capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes per annum, consisting of 6 new 5,000 tonne furnaces.
How it Works
RSI will be manufacturing solar grade silicon with a purity of 99.9999+% (6N’s). Most Plants are currently producing purity levels of 99.9999+% (8N’s) to use for the semiconductor industry as well as the solar industry. Our plant is producing solar grade silicon only.
RSI’s technology addresses the high cost of purification in a commercially viable chemical purification process, before silicon is produced. Using mature technology from other industries, impurities detrimental to the production of photovoltaic cells are removed from inexpensive commodity feed stocks. The feed stocks are fed into a dedicated, high-purity silicon production furnace and should result in silicon of sufficient purity (6N+) to meet the needs of photovoltaic cell manufacturers.
Videos
- RSI Silicon Information Overview - James Dunn, V.P. Of Operations and Business Development for RSI Silicon gives an overview. (Solar Power Authority; Feb. 3, 2008)
(5.40 Minutes) Silicon News
- News broadcast of silicon company, although the fellow toots his horn for the first few minutes, he describes CitizenRe towards the last... (YouTube; July 06, 2007)
- - - -
- RSI Silicon wins Ignite Clean Energy award - (AOL Video; June 5, 2007)
- RSI Silicon, Inc. - Developing a unique ultra low-cost process for making solar-grade silicon for solar cells. (BrightCove; June 1, 2007)
Costs
Provides solar grade Silicon at 33% of the product cost.
Advantages
- Solar grade silicon for less cost.
Applications
- Photovoltaics.
Patents
- Abstract
A method for preparation of high purity silicon suitable for photovoltaic cells using reduction of silica, which is pre-purified in an aqueous solution, in presence of a reducing agent, preferably carbonaceous agent, where the pre-purified silica has a low amount of boron suitable for photovoltaic cells is described.
RSI Silicon’s production process for solar grade silicon can be outlined in simplified form as follows. I’ve left out the addition of sulfuric acid to adjust pH, details about the steps, and optional steps for clarity.
Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) is dissolved in deionized water to create an aqueous solution for chemical processing into high purity silica (SiO2).
The solution is filtered to remove insoluble materials including most of the phosphorus by first adding calcium or magnesium to the solution.
Boron is removed using a chelating agent such as AMBERLITE IRA734, an ion exchange resin. RSI Silicon’s tests and projections indicate Boron levels of 0.1ppm or lower after this step. After being allowed to stand, a pure silica gel precipitates and is filtered and dried at up to 1400 °C (degrees Celsius). The silica is crystallized into briquette form. In the final step, the same Carbothermic Reduction process, used to produce metallurgical silicon in a submerged arc furnace and described in Solar Grade Silicon roads lead to Ruše - Part 2, separates the oxygen from the pure silica (SiO2) to yield the Solar Grade Silicon.
Profiles
Company: Reaction Sciences, Inc
Funding
David Gelbaum, Trustee of Quercus Trust has provided the initial funding for the Company. Quercus has given more money to conservation causes in California than anyone else helping to protect 1,179 square miles of Desert and Mountain Lanscapes as well as donating $100 million to the Sierra Club. RSI's ability to produce cost effective solar grade silicon and assist the PV industry in becoming an economical energy alternative is the primary reason for David's investment and support.
Inventor: Steve Amendola
Dr. Steve Amendola developed the technology to use readily available inexpensive raw materials and off-the-shelf equipment. Combined with current Market Conditions, it is now commercially viable to use this technology to build solar grade silicon and ultimately build a global company that help address Environmental Concerns.
Coverage
In the News
RSI's Solar Silicon Solution Wins MIT Energy Plan Contest - RSI Silicon debuts a far more inexpensive method of producing solar grade Silicon, winning "People's Choice" award and first place in the Energy Business Plan contest held by MIT. (NEC Specialist: Jim Dunn)
Comments
See Discussion page
Directories
Contact
- RSI Silicon Products LLC
3700 Glover Road
Easton, PA 18040 USA
Phone: 610 258 7777
Fax: 610 258 7099
See also
GENERAL:
- Directory:Solar - index of resources
- PowerPedia:Solar Energy - Encyclopedic review of history and future
- News:Solar
- Videos:Solar
MODALITIES:
- Directory:Concentrated Solar Power
- Directory:Solar PhotoVoltaics | Directory:Home Generation:Solar PV
- Directory:Solar Thermal
- Directory:Home Generation:Solar Heating
- Directory:Thin Film Solar
- Directory:Solar:Photosynthesis Imitation
- Directory:Solar Tower
- Directory:Floating Solar Chimney
- Directory:Space Based Solar Power
- Directory:Solar Sails
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Directory:Plastic Solar Cells
- Directory:Silicon - more efficient uses, alternatives, methods
- Directory:Black Silicon
- Directory:Synchronous Solar Heliostat
- Directory:Solar:Installation and Consultation
- Directory:Solar:Largest
APPLICATIONS:
- Directory:Solar:Chargers
- Directory:Solar:Vehicles
- Directory:Solar Hydrogen
- OS:Solar Ethanol - distiller design
- Directory:Solar Pavement - black-body absorption of the asphalt
- Other Directory listings
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