skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Silicon Film(TM) Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology: Annual Subcontract Report, 15 November 1992 - 15 October 1993

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10161129· OSTI ID:10161129

The goal of this project is to develop an advanced, low-cost manufacturing process for a new utility-scale, flat-plate module. The program has three main components: development of a Silicon-Film{trademark} (S-F) wafer machine that is capable of manufacturing wafers that are 225 cm{sup 2} in size with a total product cost reduction of 70%; development of an advanced solar cell manufacturing process that is capable of turning the wafer into a 14% efficient solar cell; and development of an advanced module design based on these large area, efficient silicon solar cells with an average power of 170 watts for 56 solar cells and 113 watts for 36 solar cells. During Phase 2, AstroPower made significant advances in improving S-F material quality and device performance. Advances were made in developing the prototype machines and processes toward reliable manufacturing counterparts. The following key achievements in Phase 2 are detailed: demonstration of a truly continuous production mode S-F machine; demonstration of a 2.5 watt, 15 cm by 15 cm solar cell; and demonstration of a 78 watt module fabricated from 36, 15 cm by 15 cm S-F solar cells.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
10161129
Report Number(s):
NREL/TP-411-6857; ON: DE94011832; BR: WM1020000; TRN: AHC29414%%9
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jun 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English