EL Inspection Equipment: The Core Quality Inspection Tool for Perovskite Industrialization

As the PV industry upgrades towards higher efficiency and diversification, perovskite, as the core of third-generation thin-film PV technology, with its advantages of low cost, high conversion efficiency, and flexibility, is moving from lab to industrial production, becoming a new engine driving PV market growth. According to China Photovoltaic Industry Association data, China's newly added perovskite capacity in 2025 is about 4GW, with a market penetration of 1.3%, expected to soar to 30% by 2030, with global shipments exceeding 150GW and market size over 600 billion RMB. However, perovskite cells are prone to defects like cracks, scratches, and material issues during production, directly affecting module performance and lifespan. EL inspection equipment, as the "eagle eye" of PV quality inspection, becomes key support for perovskite industrialization. Their deep integration is pushing the PV industry into a new stage of high-quality development.

Perovskite Industrialization Accelerates, Quality Inspection Shortcomings Urgently Need EL Equipment

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) use perovskite-structured ABX₃ materials as the light-absorbing layer, offering high theoretical efficiency, simple preparation, and low cost. Applications cover ground PV, BIPV, vehicle-integrated PV, and space PV. Unlike traditional crystalline silicon cells, perovskite cells are thinner and more sensitive. During coating, laser scribing, and lamination, microscopic defects like scribing deviations, bad pixels, dark areas, and cracks are easily introduced, reducing efficiency by 10%-30% and even causing hot spots with safety risks.

With rapid capacity expansion, quality standards are evolving. The China Electricity Council's "Technical Specification for Electroluminescence (EL) Testing of Perovskite PV Modules" (draft) specifies six defect types to identify, with strict environmental and equipment parameters (e.g., lab temperature 25°C±2°C, optical module pixels ≥22 million). Traditional inspection methods cannot meet these demands; EL equipment, with its non-destructive, high-precision, and efficient advantages, becomes the core tool for perovskite quality control.

EL Inspection Equipment: The "Core Tool" for Perovskite Defect Detection, Breakthroughs in Principle and Advantages

EL inspection equipment works by applying voltage to perovskite cells, exciting electron-hole recombination to emit infrared photons, captured by high-sensitivity infrared cameras (e.g., InGaAs detectors). Intelligent algorithms analyze light intensity distribution to pinpoint defects. The process: ① Electroluminescence excitation via constant current supply; ② Optical signal capture with infrared camera; ③ Defect analysis using AI algorithms to automatically mark defects and generate reports.

Tailored to perovskite characteristics, the new generation of EL equipment achieves multiple breakthroughs:

• High-precision defect recognition: Self-developed AI algorithms boost accuracy to 99%, reducing missed detection rate to 1%, detecting micron-level cracks.

• Multi-scenario adaptability: Modular design supports labs, production lines, and O&M, adapting to single-junction, tandem, and flexible perovskite cells.

• High-efficiency automation: Integrated auto loading/unloading and data management reduce inspection time to under 50 seconds per module, 12x faster than traditional methods.

• Data traceability: Smart data management systems store, query, and export reports, supporting process optimization and yield improvement.

Deep Integration: EL Equipment and Perovskite Embrace the Industrialization Golden Period

Perovskite is at a critical inflection point from lab breakthrough to industrial application. 2025 marks the "GW-level production first year" for perovskite, with an estimated 30% market share by 2030. EL equipment, as the core of quality control, directly determines the quality and speed of perovskite development.

In industry applications, EL equipment is standard for leading PV companies. For example, Dishi Technology's EL equipment with AI algorithms quickly locates defects; Aijia Technology's EL/PL all-in-one machine combines both technologies for closed-loop analysis from material properties to process defects. These applications boost module yield and accelerate standardization.

Trends: AI algorithms will further optimize for defect grading and root cause tracing; equipment will become more portable for outdoor and space PV (e.g., Musk's space projects). With formal standards, EL equipment will become an indispensable support for perovskite industrialization.

Conclusion

The industrialization wave of perovskite brings vast market space for EL equipment, and EL equipment upgrades escort perovskite's high-quality development. Their deep integration solves quality inspection pain points and drives the PV industry towards higher efficiency and diversification. With ongoing breakthroughs, EL equipment will continue to empower perovskite, helping China's PV maintain leadership in global new energy competition.