The Photovolatic Manufacturing Technology project (PVMaT) after three years

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10177837

Witt, C E; Mitchell, R L; Thomas, H ^[1]; Herwig, L O ^[2]

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1. National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
2. USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)

The Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology project (PVMaT) is a government/industry research and development (R&D) partnership involving joint efforts between the federal government (through the US Department of Energy [DOE]) and members of the US photovoltaic (PV) industry. The project`s goal is to assist US industry in retaining and extending its world leadership role in the manufacture and commercial development of PV components and systems. PVMaT is being carried out in three separate phases, each designed to address separate R&D requirements for achieving PVMaT goals. Phase 1 was a problem identification phase of about 3 months duration. In Phase 1, the status and needs of the US PV manufacturing industry were identified, and the development of a Phase 2 procurement responsive to the industry`s needs was begun. Phase 1 was completed in 1991. Problem solution began in 1992, under Phase 2A, when DOE awarded multiyear subcontracts. Technical accomplishments for PVMaT 2A are presented in this paper. Subcontracts were recently awarded for a second, overlapping, and similar process-specific solicitation (PVMaT 2B). The activities of these new subcontracts are also described. Two subcontracts presently comprise the Phase 3 effort. Phase 3 addresses R&D problems that are relatively common to a number of PV companies or the PV industry as a whole. A teamed research approach is being used to improve automated module manufacturing lines and encapsulation materials used in module manufacturing. The first year`s work on these subcontracts is also described in this paper.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 10177837
• Report Number(s): NREL/TP--411-6639; CONF-940812--20; ON: DE94011877; BR: WM1020000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500
COMMERCIALIZATION
INDUSTRY-GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP
MANUFACTURING
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PHOTOVOLTAIC MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY (PVMAT)
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
PV COMPONENTS
PV SYSTEMS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND COMMERCIALIZATION