Trajectory Oriented and Fault Tolerant Based Intelligent Process Control for Flexible CIGS PV Module Manufacturing Scale-Up: Phase II, Annual Technical Report, March 2004

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/15011700· OSTI ID:15011700

Simpson, L

ITN Energy Systems, Inc., and Global Solar Energy, Inc., with the assistance of NREL's PV Manufacturing R&D program, have continued the advancement of CIGS production technology through the development of trajectory-oriented predictive/control models, fault-tolerance control, control-platform development, in-situ sensors, and process improvements. Modeling activities to date include the development of physics-based and empirical models for CIGS and sputter-deposition processing, implementation of model-based control, and application of predictive models to the construction of new evaporation sources and for control. Model-based control is enabled through implementation of reduced or empirical models into a control platform. Reliability improvement activities include implementation of preventive maintenance schedules; detection of failed sensors/equipment and reconfiguration to continue processing; and systematic development of fault prevention and reconfiguration strategies for the full range of CIGS PV production deposition processes. In-situ sensor development activities have resulted in improved control and indicated the potential for enhanced process status monitoring and control of the deposition processes. Substantial process improvements have been made, including significant improvement in CIGS uniformity, thickness control, efficiency, yield, and throughput. In large measure, these gains have been driven by process optimization, which, in turn, have been enabled by control and reliability improvements due to this PV Manufacturing R&D program. This has resulted in substantial improvements of flexible CIGS PV module performance and efficiency.

• 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: 15011700
• Report Number(s): NREL/SR-520-36983; ZDO-2-30628-07; TRN: US200507%%710
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1 Nov 2004; Related Information: Work performed by ITN Energy Systems, Inc., Littleton, Colorado
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
42 ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION
DEPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EVAPORATION
MANUFACTURING
OPTIMIZATION
PROCESS CONTROL
SOLAR ENERGY
PV
MODULE
MANUFACTURER
TRAJECTORY-ORIENTED CONTROL
FAULT TOLERANCE
IN-SITU SENSORS
SPUTTER DEPOSITION
THIN-FILM
REAL-TIME COMPOSITION
SMALL-AREA
TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE OXIDE
BACK CONTACT
SOLAR ENERGY - PHOTOVOLTAICS