Improvements to polycrystalline silicon PV module manufacturing technology

Author

Shea, Stephen P. ; Wohlgemuth, John H.

Author_Institution

BP Solar Int. LLC, Frederick, MD, USA

fYear

2002

fDate

19-24 May 2002

Firstpage

227

Lastpage

230

Abstract

This paper will report on the work performed by BP Solar under NREL Subcontract #ZAX-8-17647-05. The objective of this three-year PVMaT program was to continue the advancement of PV manufacturing technologies in order to reduce cost and increase production capacity of the Frederick, Maryland plant. The program included development efforts in the following technology areas: Solar-grade silicon feedstock; Improving process control in casting; Reducing wire diameter and wafer thickness; Reducing wire saw operating costs; Developing a faster cure encapsulant; Increasing cell efficiency and process robustness; Improving handling and eliminating non-value added handling steps; Improving measurement and control throughout the production line. Results in each area will be discussed.

Keywords

elemental semiconductors; semiconductor device manufacture; silicon; solar cells; NREL Subcontract #ZAX-8-17647-05; PV manufacturing technologies; Si; casting; cell efficiency; cure encapsulant; polycrystalline silicon PV module manufacturing technology; process control; solar-grade silicon feedstock; wire saw operating costs; Area measurement; Casting; Costs; Manufacturing; Process control; Production; Robust control; Silicon; Subcontracting; Wire;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE

ISSN

1060-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7471-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.2002.1190497

Filename

1190497