Silicon-film{sup {trademark}} photovoltaic manufacturing technology. Final technical status report, January 1, 1992--July 31, 1995

Abstract

The goal of AstroPower's PVMaT-2A project was to develop an advanced, low-cost manufacturing process for a new utility-scale, flat-plate module. This process starts with the production of continuous sheets of polycrystalline silicon on a supporting substrate using the Silicon-Film{trademark} process. A number of new solar cell and module products have resulted from this work. The primary product is a 240 cm{sup 2} solar cell referred to as the AP-225. This product has achieved an efficiency of 12.2% (AM1.5G, 1000 W/m{sup 2}). A 17.1kW array was constructed for PVUSA using the AP-225 solar cell and was installed in November 1994. Along with the AP-225, a second, larger, solar cell was developed. The AP-675 solar cell has a device area of 700 cm{sup 2} and has achieved an efficiency of 11.6% (AM1.5G, 1000 W/m{sup 2}). Two new module products accompanied the new solar cell products. Table 1 shows the details of the products developed in this program.