Silicon, the source material for the production of solar cells, is normally recovered commercially through carbothermic reduction in electric arc furnaces. The silicon purity necessary for the production of solar cells must, however, first be achieved through a subsequent, energy-intensive process using chlorinated chemicals. JPM Silicon GmbH of Braunschweig, Germany is currently working with the Institute for Thermodynamics at the Technical University of Braunschweig (Institut für Thermodynamik der Technischen Universität Braunschweig) and the firm Fricke and Mallah Microwave Technology GmbH (Peine, Germany) to develop an energy-efficient approach to the recovery of high-grade silicon with the help of a new type of microwave oven.
