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Title: Photovoltaic industry manufacturing technology. Final report

Abstract

This report contains the results of the Photovoltaic (PV) Industry Manufacturing Technology Assessment performed by the Automation and Robotics Research Institute (ARRI) of the University of Texas at Arlington for the National Renewable Energy laboratory. ARRI surveyed eleven companies to determine their state-of-manufacturing in the areas of engineering design, operations management, manufacturing technology, equipment maintenance, quality management, and plant conditions. Interviews with company personnel and plant tours at each of the facilities were conducted and the information compiled. The report is divided into two main segments. The first part of the report presents how the industry as a whole conforms to ``World Class`` manufacturing practices. Conclusions are drawn from the results of a survey as to the areas that the PV industry can improve on to become more competitive in the industry and World Class. Appendix A contains the questions asked in the survey, a brief description of the benefits to performing this task and the aggregate response to the questions. Each company participating in the assessment process received the results of their own facility to compare against the industry as a whole. The second part of the report outlines opportunities that exist on the shop floor for improving Processmore » Equipment and Automation Strategies. Appendix B contains the survey that was used to assess each of the manufacturing processes.« less

Authors:
; ;  [1]
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  1. Automation and Robotics Research Inst., Fort Worth, TX (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States); Automation and Robotics Research Inst., Fort Worth, TX (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
656779
Report Number(s):
NREL/SR-520-24823
ON: DE98007318; TRN: AHC29817%%338
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-83CH10093
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Aug 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; PROGRESS REPORT; PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS; MANUFACTURING; AUTOMATION; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT; DESIGN; MANAGEMENT; INDUSTRIAL PLANTS; COMPETITION

Citation Formats

Vanecek, D., Diver, M., and Fernandez, R.. Photovoltaic industry manufacturing technology. Final report. United States: N. p., 1998. Web. doi:10.2172/656779.
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Vanecek, D., Diver, M., & Fernandez, R.. Photovoltaic industry manufacturing technology. Final report. United States. doi:10.2172/656779.
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Vanecek, D., Diver, M., and Fernandez, R.. Sat . "Photovoltaic industry manufacturing technology. Final report". United States. doi:10.2172/656779. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/656779.
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@article{osti_656779,
title = {Photovoltaic industry manufacturing technology. Final report},
author = {Vanecek, D. and Diver, M. and Fernandez, R.},
abstractNote = {This report contains the results of the Photovoltaic (PV) Industry Manufacturing Technology Assessment performed by the Automation and Robotics Research Institute (ARRI) of the University of Texas at Arlington for the National Renewable Energy laboratory. ARRI surveyed eleven companies to determine their state-of-manufacturing in the areas of engineering design, operations management, manufacturing technology, equipment maintenance, quality management, and plant conditions. Interviews with company personnel and plant tours at each of the facilities were conducted and the information compiled. The report is divided into two main segments. The first part of the report presents how the industry as a whole conforms to ``World Class`` manufacturing practices. Conclusions are drawn from the results of a survey as to the areas that the PV industry can improve on to become more competitive in the industry and World Class. Appendix A contains the questions asked in the survey, a brief description of the benefits to performing this task and the aggregate response to the questions. Each company participating in the assessment process received the results of their own facility to compare against the industry as a whole. The second part of the report outlines opportunities that exist on the shop floor for improving Process Equipment and Automation Strategies. Appendix B contains the survey that was used to assess each of the manufacturing processes.},
doi = {10.2172/656779},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1998},
month = {Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1998}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/656779
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