Cast Polycrystalline Photovoltaic Module Manufacturing Technology Improvements; Final Subcontract Report, 8 December 1993-30 April 1998
This report summarizes work performed by Solarex, A Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, under this subcontract. Among the accomplishments during the program are the following: Converting all of the production casting stations to increase ingot size, operating them at equivalent yields and cell efficiencies, and thus doubling the casting capacity at a 20% lower cost than the cost of new equipment. Developing a wire-saw process and transferring the process to production; as a result, more than 80% of wafering is now done using wire saws, at higher yields and lower costs than achieved on the internal diameter saws. Developing an aluminum paste back-surface field (BSF) process to increase cell efficiency by 5%; researchers also designed, procured, and transferred to manufacturing a fully automated printing system to produce the BSF cells. Fabricating 15.2-cm by 15.2-cm polycrystalline silicon solar cells and building modules using these cells. Modifying the module assembly area to increase capacity by a factor of three. Implementing a single-layer Tedlar backsheet that reduced backsheet cost by $0.50/ft2. Selecting, testing, and qualifying a low-cost (< $1.00 per module) electrical termination system. Qualifying the structure and adhesive system for mounting frameless modules and using the system to build several large arrays.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-99GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 9779
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/SR-520-26071; ON: DE00009779; TRN: US200310%%123
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 16 Jun 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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