Process for making photovoltaic devices and resultant product

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868937

Foote, James B ^[1]; Kaake, Steven A. F. ^[2]; Meyers, Peter V ^[3]; Nolan, James F ^[4]

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1. Toledo, OH
2. Perrysburg, OH
3. Bowling Green, OH
4. Sylvania, OH

A process and apparatus (70) for making a large area photovoltaic device (22) that is capable of generating low cost electrical power. The apparatus (70) for performing the process includes an enclosure (126) providing a controlled environment in which an oven (156) is located. At least one and preferably a plurality of deposition stations (74,76,78) provide heated vapors of semiconductor material within the oven (156) for continuous elevated temperature deposition of semiconductor material on a sheet substrate (24) including a glass sheet (26) conveyed within the oven. The sheet substrate (24) is conveyed on a roller conveyor (184) within the oven (156) and the semiconductor material whose main layer (82) is cadmium telluride is deposited on an upwardly facing surface (28) of the substrate by each deposition station from a location within the oven above the roller conveyor. A cooling station (86) rapidly cools the substrate (24) after deposition of the semiconductor material thereon to strengthen the glass sheet of the substrate.

• DOE Contract Number: ZR-1-11059-1
• Assignee: Solar Cells, Inc. (Toledo, OH)
• Patent Number(s): US 5248349
• Application Number: 07/881,683
• OSTI ID: 868937
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

process
photovoltaic
devices
resultant
product
apparatus
70
device
22
capable
generating
cost
electrical
power
performing
enclosure
126
providing
controlled
environment
oven
156
located
preferably
plurality
deposition
stations
74
76
78
provide
heated
vapors
semiconductor
material
continuous
elevated
temperature
sheet
substrate
24
including
glass
26
conveyed
roller
conveyor
184
main
layer
82
cadmium
telluride
deposited
upwardly
facing
surface
28
station
location
cooling
86
rapidly
cools
thereon
strengthen
resultant product
upwardly facing
temperature deposition
provide heat
rapidly cools
photovoltaic devices
glass sheet
electrical power
semiconductor material
elevated temperature
photovoltaic device
cadmium telluride
roller conveyor
material thereon
facing surface
controlled environment
sheet substrate
provide heated
deposition stations
cost electrical
cooling station
continuous elevated
deposition station
heated vapors
main layer
rapidly cool
/136/118/257/427/438/