Photovoltaic manufacturing technology, Phase 1

Technical Report · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6083640· OSTI ID:6083640

Somberg, H ^[1]

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1. Global Photovoltaic Specialists, Inc., Canoga Park, CA (United States)

This report describes existing integrated processes for solar cell manufacturing and lists as the primary opportunity for improvement the following areas: low-cost silicon sheets with improved characteristics; improved large-scale and automated solar cell processes that can lead to cell efficiencies in the range of 14% (encapsulated) for direct-cast wafers; improved handling and lamination of large-area modules for the emerging utility market. The proposed solutions can lead to finished module costs on the order of $1.55 per square meter or a selling price of less than $2.00/Watt. The problems that may be considered generic to the industry and that have been addressed in this work are as follows: gettering and passivation of silicon wafers; spray-on passivation layers; dual antireflection coatings; ink-jet printing of metallizations; and automated handling of large-area modules and associated vertical lamination. 14 refs.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Global Photovoltaic Specialists, Inc., Canoga Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 6083640
• Report Number(s): NREL/TP-214-4480; ON: DE92001152
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
MANUFACTURING
AUTOMATION
COST ESTIMATION
CRYSTAL GROWTH
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PROGRESS REPORT
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion