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Title: Development of large-area monolithically integrated silicon-film photovoltaic modules

Abstract

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 undermore » investigation.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. AstroPower, Inc., Newark, DE (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); AstroPower, Inc., Newark, DE (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
7066342
Report Number(s):
NREL/TP-413-4996
ON: DE92010600
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-83CH10093
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 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

Citation Formats

Rand, J. A., Bacon, C., Cotter, J. E., Lampros, T. H., Ingram, A. E., Ruffins, T. R., Hall, R. B., and Barnett, A. M. Development of large-area monolithically integrated silicon-film photovoltaic modules. United States: N. p., 1992. Web. doi:10.2172/7066342.
Rand, J. A., Bacon, C., Cotter, J. E., Lampros, T. H., Ingram, A. E., Ruffins, T. R., Hall, R. B., & Barnett, A. M. Development of large-area monolithically integrated silicon-film photovoltaic modules. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/7066342
Rand, J. A., Bacon, C., Cotter, J. E., Lampros, T. H., Ingram, A. E., Ruffins, T. R., Hall, R. B., and Barnett, A. M. 1992. "Development of large-area monolithically integrated silicon-film photovoltaic modules". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/7066342. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7066342.
@article{osti_7066342,
title = {Development of large-area monolithically integrated silicon-film photovoltaic modules},
author = {Rand, J. A. and Bacon, C. and Cotter, J. E. and Lampros, T. H. and Ingram, A. E. and Ruffins, T. R. and Hall, R. B. and Barnett, A. M.},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.2172/7066342},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7066342}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992},
month = {Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992}
}