Continuous roll-to-roll amorphous silicon photovoltaic manufacturing technology

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Izu ◽  
S. R. Ovshinsky ◽  
X. Deng ◽  
A. Krisko ◽  
H. C. Ovshinsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Manufacturing Technology ◽  
Roll To Roll

Large-area Deposition of Amorphous Silicon Alloys Using a Roll-to-roll Operation

2005 ◽  
Vol 870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhendu Guha ◽  
Jeffrey Yang
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Triple Junction ◽  
Stainless Steel Substrate ◽  
Steel Substrate ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Silicon Alloys ◽  
Roll To Roll ◽  
Layer Structures ◽  
Area Deposition

AbstractLarge-area deposition of thin-film amorphous silicon alloy triple-junction solar cells on lightweight and flexible stainless steel substrate is described. The proprietary roll-to-roll operation enables continuous depositions of sophisticated multi-layer structures. The deposition methods include sputtering and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor depositions. Spectrumsplitting triple-junction solar cell design, manufacturing processes, and product applications are presented.

Flexible, Lightweight, Amorphous Silicon Based Solar Cells on Polymer Substrate for Space and Near-Space Applications

2011 ◽  
Vol 1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Beernink ◽  
A. Banerjee ◽  
J. Yang ◽  
K. Lord ◽  
F. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Polymer Substrate ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Area Efficiency ◽  
Near Space ◽  
Roll To Roll ◽  
High Flexibility

ABSTRACTUnited Solar Ovonic has leveraged its history of making amorphous silicon solar cells on stainless steel substrates to develop amorphous silicon alloy (a-Si:H)-based solar cells and modules on ∼25 μm thick polymer substrate using high-throughput roll-to-roll deposition technology for space and near-space applications. The solar cells have a triple-junction a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H/a-SiGe:H structure deposited by conventional plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD) using roll-to-roll processing. The cells have distinct advantages in terms of high specific power (W/kg), high flexibility, ruggedness, rollability for stowage, and irradiation resistance. The large area (23.9 cm x 32.1 cm) individual cells manufactured in large quantity can be readily connected into modules and have achieved initial, 25 °C, AM0 aperture-area efficiency of 9.8% and initial specific power of 1200 W/kg. We have conducted light-soak studies and measured the temperature coefficient of the current-voltage characteristics to determine the stable values at an expected operating temperature of 60 °C. The stable total-area efficiency and specific power at 60 °C are 7.2% and 950 W/kg, respectively. In this paper, we review the challenges and progress made in development of the cells, highlight some applications, and discuss current efforts aimed at improving performance.

Amorphous Silicon Alloy Photovoltaic Technology - From R&D to Production

1994 ◽  
Vol 345 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Guha ◽  
J. Yang ◽  
A. Banerjee ◽  
T. Glatfelter ◽  
K. Hoffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Solar Spectrum ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Manufacturing Cost ◽  
Silicon Alloy ◽  
Roll To Roll ◽  
Steel Rolls

AbstractThe key requirements for photovoltaic modules to be accepted for large-scale terrestrial applications are (i) low material cost, (ii) high efficiency with good stability, (iii) low manufacturing cost with good yield and (iv) environmental safety. Thin films of amorphous silicon alloy are inexpensive; the products are also environmentally benign. The challenge has been to improve the stable efficiency of these modules and transfer the R&D results into production. Using a multijunction, multi-bandgap approach to capture the solar spectrum more efficiently, we have developed one-square-foot modules with initial efficiency of 11.8% After 1000 h of one-sun light soaking, a stable efficiency of 10.2% was obtained. Both the efficiency values were confirmed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The technology has been transferred to production using an automated roll-to-roll process in which different layers of the cell structure are deposited in a continuous manner onto stainless steel rolls, 14′ wide and half a mile long. The rolls are next processed into modules of different sizes. This inexpensive manufacturing process produces high efficiency modules with subcell yields greater than 99% The key features of the technology transfer and future scope for improvement are discussed.

scholarly journals Amorphous Silicon Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology - Phase 2A: Annual Subcontract Report, 1 May 1992 - 30 April 1993

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Duran ◽  
K. Mackamul ◽  
D. Metcalf ◽  
A. Koniares ◽  
D. Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Manufacturing Technology
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