Lab to Large Scale Transition for Non-Vacuum Thin Film CIGS Solar Cells: Phase I Annual Technical Report, 1 August 2002-31 July 2003

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/15006756· OSTI ID:15006756

Kapur, V K; Bansal, A; Le, P; Asensio, O; Shigeoka, N

The purpose of this subcontract is to (1) identify the challenges that ISET may face in the process of making a''Lab to Large-Scale'' transition for its ink-based non-vacuum process in production of thin-film CIGS solar cells and modules, and (2) develop workable solutions for these challenges such that they can readily be implemented in a large-scale processing line for CIGS modules. The primary objective of this research is to streamline ISET's ink-based non-vacuum process for fabricating efficient CIGS modules at a lower cost of module production of < $1.0watt. To achieve this objective, ISET focuses R&D efforts on investigating topics that directly impact the ultimate cost of processing CIGS modules. These topics include (i) module output, and therefore, the solar cell and module efficiency, (ii) overall process yield, which requires developing a process that offers a very high degree of repeatability for every manufacturing step, and finally (iii) a process approach that maximizes th e utilization of the materials used. In accordance with the above, this report will cover activity during Phase I in the investigation of methods for low-cost manufacturing and process development. Specific tasks cover four broad areas: (1) solar cell efficiency, (2) process control, (3) module integration, and (4) enhanced material utilization by recycling unused materials.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99-GO10337
• OSTI ID: 15006756
• Report Number(s): NREL/SR-520-35574; XCQ-2-30630-30; TRN: US200411%%300
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1 Feb 2004; Related Information: Work performed by International Solar Electric Technology, Inc. (ISET), Inglewood, California
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
EFFICIENCY
MANUFACTURING
PROCESS CONTROL
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RECYCLING
SOLAR CELLS
THIN FILMS
PV
THIN FILM
SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY
NON-VACUUM PROCESS
MODULE
LOW-COST MANUFACTURING
MODULE INTEGRATION
ENHANCED MATERIAL UTILIZATION
CHALCOPYRITE
CU(IN
GA)SE2 (CIGS)
SOLID-STATE DIFFUSION
SOLAR ENERGY - PHOTOVOLTAICS