Title :
Progress in Solarex´s crystalline silicon PVMaT program
Author :
Wohlgemuth, J.H. ; Whitehouse, D. ; Koval, T. ; Creager, J. ; Artigliere, F. ; Tomlinson, T. ; Cliber, J. ; Buckman, A. ; Perry, M. ; Narayanan, S. ; Shea, S. ; Roy, M. ; Kelly, G. ; Brisson, M. ; Dominguez, R. ; Conway, M.
Author_Institution :
Solarex Corp., Frederick, MD, USA
fDate :
29 Sep-3 Oct 1997
Abstract :
The objectives of this NREL sponsored photovoltaic manufacturing technology program (PVMaT) are to advance Solarex´s cast polycrystalline silicon manufacturing technology, reduce production cost, increase module performance and expand production capacity. To meet these objectives Solarex has: (1) modified the casting process and equipment to grow larger ingots; (2) developed and installed wire saws to cut thinner wafers at lower cost; (3) increased cell efficiencies; (4) improved the automation of module assembly; and (5) developed frameless module mounting systems with low cost module electrical interconnection. This paper presents the progress made during this three year program
Keywords :
casting; elemental semiconductors; semiconductor technology; silicon; solar cells; NREL sponsored photovoltaic manufacturing technology program; Si; Solarex; automated cell handling; back surface field; cast polycrystalline silicon manufacturing technology; casting; cell efficiencies increase; chemical texturing; crystalline silicon PVMaT program; frameless module development; frameless module mounting systems; ingots growth; low cost module electrical interconnection; module assembly; production capacity expansion; production cost reduction; selective emitter; solar cells; thin wafers cutting; wire saws; Casting; Costs; Crystallization; Manufacturing; Photovoltaic systems; Production; Sawing machines; Silicon; Solar power generation; Wire;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1997., Conference Record of the Twenty-Sixth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Anaheim, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3767-0
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1997.654270
