Hand Soldering Recommendations for Solar Module Assembly

Here is a list of tricks to help you overcome the issues that can arise while hand soldering silicon-based solar cells (and other applications as well). Some of these ideas are obvious for most, but all the suggestions can help you form a better solder joint – and build a better final product:

1) 使用正确的焊头。我曾经犯过使用不合适焊头的错误，我的许多客户也是如此。这是个令人沮丧的问题，你只能让它发生一次：一切都设置得很完美，但什么都不会融化，直到你注意到焊头的大小或形状不正确。我的许多客户都遇到过这种情况，他们最初使用的是锥形焊头，而当时他们使用的是 2 毫米宽的焊料涂层片带。只需将焊头换成 2 毫米宽的凿尖焊头，情况就完全不同了，而且焊接效果很好。为什么性能会有如此大的差别？凿形焊头可以让热量流过焊带，而不是只加热一个点。更多的热流 = 焊点中更多的热量。

2) Pre-tin the soldering iron. Just as an appropriately sized soldering tip will distribute heat across the soldering surface, a bit of molten alloy can help create a thermal interface to maximize heat transfer. Remember to melt a small amount of solder onto the tip of your iron before soldering, and be sure it’s the same alloy you are soldering with. (Leave the custom alloying to us ;)

3) Consider the alloy you are soldering. All the heat your typical soldering iron can produce will not be enough to melt some of the highest temperature alloys. Be sure to have a good understanding of the alloy you have selected. In some cases with low-temperature alloys (like bismuth or indium alloys), excessive soldering temperature can de-wet the alloy and char low temperature fluxes.

4) Use the correct flux. Fluxes are quite different, I’ve spent my entire soldering career trying to get that point across. There are fluxes for high temperatures or low temperatures, cleaning with water or not cleaning at all. There are specialty fluxes for specialty alloys and there are fluxes for different soldering surfaces. Use the correct flux. If you don’t know what the best flux for the application is – just ask; that’s what I am here for.

5) 使用底部加热器。众所周知，硅会带走热量--需要焊接的晶体硅太阳能电池就是一个散热器！一些焊接设备供应商还提供底部加热垫，帮助防止热量过度散失。

6) 保持烙铁清洁。 烙铁头上积聚的黑色污垢不利于形成良好的焊点。只需用湿海绵（应放在焊锡台上）擦拭热烙铁，就能轻松去除这些氧化物和烧焦的助焊剂残留物。干净的烙铁头能更好地传热，也能让你使用的助焊剂更有效。