Manufacturing Improvements in CZ Silicon Module Production

During this work effort, Shell Solar Industries is addressing the PV manufacturing goals of accelerating manufacturing cost reductions and increasing commercial product performance and reliability. To accomplish these goals, Shell Solar is focusing its efforts on; improvements in photovoltaic product reliability; a reduction in module production costs to a level of under $2/watt; and the production of modules with total area efficiency >15%. Shell Solar is also working toward the program goals by developing quality assurance (QA) and environmental, safety, and health (ES&H) programs in keeping with local, state, and federal regulations as applicable. This paper is a status review of the progress for the first nine months from July 2005 through March 2006