The invention relates to the technical field of machining, in particular to a triggering agent applicable for etching treatment of a solar cell. The triggering agent is prepared from 5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane, 5 parts of ethyl acetate, 0.5 part of alantolactone, 5 parts of methyl salicylate, 5 parts of sodium chloride and 79.5 parts of water according to the following steps of: firstly, adding 5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane, 5 parts of ethyl acetate and 50 parts of water to a vessel and stirring the mixture for 10 minutes; secondly, slowly adding 0.5 part of alantolactone and 5 parts of methyl salicylate, stirring the mixture with adding, and stirring the mixture for 10 minutes after addition is completed; and finally, adding 5 parts of sodium chloride and 29.5 parts of water at one time, thereby obtaining the triggering agent. In the triggering agent, a few amount of the alantolactone is added, so that the processing efficiency of the triggering agent can be remarkably improved; by using the triggering agent in a matching way, etching surfaces of a battery substrate subjected to surface etching and side-wall protection are uniform and consistent; with a method of addition step by step, the dissolving performance among substances can be improved, and the possibility of particle agglomeration also can be prevented.