Trajectory Oriented and Fault Tolerant Based Intelligent Process Control for Flexible CIGS PV Module Manufacturing: Phase 1 Final Technical Report, March 2003

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/15006748· OSTI ID:15006748

Simpson, L

With the assistance of NREL's PV Manufacturing R&D program, ITN Energy Systems, Inc. and Global Solar Energy, Inc. continued the advancement of CIGS production technology by developing trajectory-oriented predictive/control models, fault-tolerance control, control-platform development, in-situ sensors, and process improvements. Modeling activities to date include developing physics-based and empirical models for CIGS and physics-based Mo deposition processing, implementing model-based control for CIGS processing, and applying predictive models to the construction of new evaporation sources. Model-based control is enabled by implementing reduced or empirical models into a control platform. Reliability improvement activities include systematic development of fault-prevention procedures (e.g., preventative maintenance schedules) and detection/reconfiguration of sensor and other hardware failures for the full range of CIGS PV production deposition processes. In-situ sensor development activities have resulted in improved control and indicate the potential for enhanced process status monitoring and control of all deposition processes. In spite of the short time since the program was initiated, substantial process improvements have been made, including significant improvement in CIGS uniformity, thickness control (e.g., 71% reduction in Cu variability), yield, and throughput.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99-GO10337
• OSTI ID: 15006748
• Report Number(s): NREL/SR-520-35146; ZDO-2-30628-07; TRN: US200411%%572
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1 Feb 2004; Related Information: Work performed by ITN Energy Systems, Inc., Littleton, Colorado
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CONSTRUCTION
DEPOSITION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EVAPORATION
MAINTENANCE
MANUFACTURING
MONITORING
PROCESS CONTROL
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RELIABILITY
SCHEDULES
SIMULATION
SOLAR ENERGY
THICKNESS
PV
MODULE
FAULT TOLERANCE CONTROL
CONTROL PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT
IN-SITU SENSORS
MODEL-BASED CONTROL
DEPOSITION PROCESS
COPPER INDIUM GALLIUM DISELENIDE (CIGS)
TRAJECTORY-ORIENTED CONTROL
INTELLIGENT PROCESS CONTROL
FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING
SOLAR ENERGY - PHOTOVOLTAICS