Development of large-area monolithically integrated silicon-film photovoltaic modules
- AstroPower, Inc., Newark, DE (United States)
This report describes work to develop Silicon-Film Product III into a low-cost, stable device for large-scale terrestrial power applications. The Product III structure is a thin (< 100 {mu}m) polycrystalline silicon layer on a non-conductive supporting ceramic substrate. The presence of the substrate allows cells to be isolated and in interconnected monolithically in various series/parallel configurations. The long-term goal for the product is efficiencies over 18% on areas greater than 1200 cm{sup 2}. The high efficiency is made possible through the benefits of using polycrystalline thin silicon incorporated into a light-trapping structure with a passivated back surface. Short-term goals focused on the development of large-area ceramics, a monolithic interconnection process, and 100 cm{sup 2} solar cells. Critical elements of the monolithically integrated device were developed, and an insulating ceramic substrate was developed and tested. A monolithic interconnection process was developed that will isolate and interconnect individual cells on the ceramic surface. Production-based, low-cost process steps were used, and the process was verified using free-standing silicon wafers to achieve an open-circuit voltage (V{sub oc}) of 8.25 V over a 17-element string. The overall efficiency of the silicon-film materials was limited to 6% by impurities. Improved processing and feedstock materials are under investigation.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); AstroPower, Inc., Newark, DE (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 7066342
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/TP-413-4996; ON: DE92010600
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of Large-Area Monolithically Integrated Silicon-Film Photovoltaic Modules, Annual Subcontract Report, 16 November 1991 - 31 December 1992
Development of monolithically integrated silicon-film modules
Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
MATERIALS
SUBSTRATES
ETCHING
CERAMICS
CERAMOGRAPHY
DIMENSIONS
EFFICIENCY
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PROGRESS REPORT
SILICON
TESTING
THIN FILMS
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SEMIMETALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE FINISHING
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
360201 - Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories- Preparation & Fabrication