Automated array assembly, Phase II. Quarterly report No. 7, July 1-September 30, 1979

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5430432· OSTI ID:5430432

D'Aiello, R. V.

During this period, work continued on studies of three manufacturing sequences for solar cells based on ion-implanted junctions, furnace annealing, screen-printed contacts, and spray-on antireflection (AR) coatings. The starting material has been primarily solar-grade, n- and p-type 3-in.-diameter wafers; in addition, a small quantity of dendritic web has been received. A total of 1500 solar cells has been fabricated and evaluated. As a result of this work, two problems areas have not been identified relating to materials and process compatibility. First, screen-printed thick-film inks do not contact ion-implanted junctions as well as diffused junctions. Second, it was found that the previously determined optimum ion implantation/anneal process must be modified to accommodate the starting silicon material. Discounting the above compatibility problems, evaluations and comparisons of the three manufacturing sequences were made with regard to the performance data accumulated for each sequence and its effect on cost-effectiveness. In cell interconnection and panel assembly, a solder reflow process has been demonstrated in which the cells are individually tabbed and then placed in an array which is soldered by means of a bank of infrared lamps which traverse the array. With the present system, this latter process is accomplished at a rate of 1 linear ft of array/minute.

• Research Organization: RCA Labs., Princeton, NJ (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: NAS-7-100-954868
• OSTI ID: 5430432
• Report Number(s): DOE/JPL/954868-79/8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ANTIREFLECTION COATINGS
AUTOMATION
COATINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
ION IMPLANTATION
MANUFACTURING
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PRODUCTION
SCREEN PRINTING
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING