Automated array assembly. Phase II. Final report, October 1977-December 1979
The philosophy of this project was to establish an experimental process line starting with 3-in.-diameter silicon wafers and consisting of junction formation using POCl/sub 3/ gaseous diffusion, screen-printed thick-film metallization, reflow solder interconnect, and double-glass lamination panel assembly. This experimental production line produced a sufficient number of solar cells to demonstrate the technological readiness of each of those process steps. Variations (of each process) were made to set limits on the usable range of each process step and to determine the interaction with adjoining steps. Inspections, measurements, and tests were included to determine the output requirement characteristics of each step, obtain statistical variations, and evaluate the performance of the solar cells and panels. A description of this work, which was conducted from October 1977 through December 1978, is given. This was followed by an 18-month study in which three manufacturing sequences synthesized from the previous work and from studies conducted by other participants in the LSA program were exercised. The objectives were to assess the compatibility between process steps for each sequence, to generate sufficient data for comparative SAMICS cost analysis, and to make recommendations of the suitability of one or more of these sequences for the large-scale automated production of solar cells within the cost goal of $0.70/pW. The detailed experimental results of this study are described, followed by SAMICS cost analysis, recommendations, and conclusions.
- Research Organization:
- RCA Labs., Princeton, NJ (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- NAS-7-100-954868
- OSTI ID:
- 6736094
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/JPL/954868-80/9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Automated array assembly, Phase II. Interim report
Related Subjects
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
PRODUCTION
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
ANNEALING
ANTIREFLECTION COATINGS
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
CONNECTORS
COST
DATA
DIFFUSION
DIFFUSION LENGTH
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ION IMPLANTATION
MANUFACTURING
PERFORMANCE
PHOSPHORUS
PROCESSING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SCREEN PRINTING
SPECIFICATIONS
SPRAY COATING
COATINGS
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
DEPOSITION
DIMENSIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HEAT TREATMENTS
INFORMATION
LENGTH
NONMETALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion