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Title: Cast polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell and module manufacturing technology improvements

Abstract

The objectives of this NREL sponsored Phase 2B Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Program were to advance Solarex{close_quote}s cast polycrystalline silicon manufacturing technology, reduce module production cost in half, increase module performance and expand Solarex{close_quote}s commercial production capacity by a factor of three. To meet these objectives Solarex: 1) Modified the casting process and stations and is now casting larger ingots in production; 2) Developed wire saw technology to cut wafers with less kerf loss and is now using wire saws for more than 80{percent} of wafering production; 3) Developed an aluminum paste back surface field (BSF) process to increase cell efficiency by 5{percent} and has transferred this process to production using a fully automated printing system; 4) Completed modifications to the module assembly area to reduce labor and to increase capacity by a factor of three; and 5) Developed a frameless module with a lower cost backsheet and a simple, low cost electrical termination system. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Solarex, A Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, Frederick, Maryland (United States)
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
357190
Report Number(s):
CONF-980935-
Journal ID: APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9915M0109
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
AIP Conference Proceedings
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 462; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: 15. National Center for Photovoltaics program review conference, Denver, CO (United States), 9-11 Sep 1998; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; SILICON; SOLAR CELLS; SILICON SOLAR CELLS; SOLAR CELL ARRAYS; MANUFACTURING; CASTING; AUTOMATION; CAPACITY; COST

Citation Formats

Wohlgemuth, J H. Cast polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell and module manufacturing technology improvements. United States: N. p., 1999. Web. doi:10.1063/1.58012.
Wohlgemuth, J H. Cast polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell and module manufacturing technology improvements. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.58012
Wohlgemuth, J H. 1999. "Cast polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell and module manufacturing technology improvements". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.58012.
@article{osti_357190,
title = {Cast polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell and module manufacturing technology improvements},
author = {Wohlgemuth, J H},
abstractNote = {The objectives of this NREL sponsored Phase 2B Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Program were to advance Solarex{close_quote}s cast polycrystalline silicon manufacturing technology, reduce module production cost in half, increase module performance and expand Solarex{close_quote}s commercial production capacity by a factor of three. To meet these objectives Solarex: 1) Modified the casting process and stations and is now casting larger ingots in production; 2) Developed wire saw technology to cut wafers with less kerf loss and is now using wire saws for more than 80{percent} of wafering production; 3) Developed an aluminum paste back surface field (BSF) process to increase cell efficiency by 5{percent} and has transferred this process to production using a fully automated printing system; 4) Completed modifications to the module assembly area to reduce labor and to increase capacity by a factor of three; and 5) Developed a frameless module with a lower cost backsheet and a simple, low cost electrical termination system. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}},
doi = {10.1063/1.58012},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/357190}, journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings},
number = 1,
volume = 462,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1999},
month = {Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1999}
}