Process for making photovoltaic devices and resultant product
Abstract
A process and apparatus are disclosed for making a large area photovoltaic device that is capable of generating low cost electrical power. The apparatus for performing the process includes an enclosure providing a controlled environment in which an oven is located. At least one and preferably a plurality of deposition stations provide heated vapors of semiconductor material within the oven for continuous elevated temperature deposition of semiconductor material on a sheet substrate including a glass sheet conveyed within the oven. The sheet substrate is conveyed on a roller conveyor within the oven and the semiconductor material whose main layer is cadmium telluride is deposited on an upwardly facing surface of the substrate by each deposition station from a location within the oven above the roller conveyor. A cooling station rapidly cools the substrate after deposition of the semiconductor material thereon to strengthen the glass sheet of the substrate. 10 figs.
- Inventors:
- Publication Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 264561
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5,536,333/A/
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-515,231
- Assignee:
- Solar Cells, Inc., Toledo, OH (United States)
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 16 Jul 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 14 SOLAR ENERGY; CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS; FABRICATION; MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT; SURFACE COATING; CADMIUM TELLURIDES; GLASS
Citation Formats
Foote, J B, Kaake, S A.F., Meyers, P V, and Nolan, J F. Process for making photovoltaic devices and resultant product. United States: N. p., 1996.
Web.
Foote, J B, Kaake, S A.F., Meyers, P V, & Nolan, J F. Process for making photovoltaic devices and resultant product. United States.
Foote, J B, Kaake, S A.F., Meyers, P V, and Nolan, J F. 1996.
"Process for making photovoltaic devices and resultant product". United States.
@article{osti_264561,
title = {Process for making photovoltaic devices and resultant product},
author = {Foote, J B and Kaake, S A.F. and Meyers, P V and Nolan, J F},
abstractNote = {A process and apparatus are disclosed for making a large area photovoltaic device that is capable of generating low cost electrical power. The apparatus for performing the process includes an enclosure providing a controlled environment in which an oven is located. At least one and preferably a plurality of deposition stations provide heated vapors of semiconductor material within the oven for continuous elevated temperature deposition of semiconductor material on a sheet substrate including a glass sheet conveyed within the oven. The sheet substrate is conveyed on a roller conveyor within the oven and the semiconductor material whose main layer is cadmium telluride is deposited on an upwardly facing surface of the substrate by each deposition station from a location within the oven above the roller conveyor. A cooling station rapidly cools the substrate after deposition of the semiconductor material thereon to strengthen the glass sheet of the substrate. 10 figs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/264561},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 16 00:00:00 EDT 1996},
month = {Tue Jul 16 00:00:00 EDT 1996}
}