Light-Trapped, Interconnected, Silicon-Film (TM) Modules: Final Technical Status Report

    Research output: NRELSubcontract Report

    Abstract

    AstroPower has continued its development of an advanced thin-silicon-based photovoltaic module product. This module combines the performance advantages of thin, light-trapped silicon layers with the capability of integration into a low-cost, monolithically interconnected module. This report summarized work carried out over a 3-year, cost-shared contract. Key results accomplished during this phaseinclude an NREL-verified conversion efficiency of 12.5% on a 0.47-cm2 device. The device structure used an insulating substrate and an active layer less than 100 um thick. A new metalization scheme was designed using insulating crossovers This technology was demonstrated on a 36-segment, 321-cm2, interconnected module. That module was tested at NREL with an efficiency of 9.79%. Further advancesin metalization have led to an advanced 'single back-contact' design that will offer low cost through ease of processing and higher performance through reduced shading.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Number of pages30
    StatePublished - 1998

    Bibliographical note

    Work performed by AstroPower, Inc., Newark, Delaware

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/SR-520-24641

    Keywords

    • conversion efficiency
    • photovoltaics (PV)
    • thin silicon solar cells

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