Terrestrial Solar Cell Module Automated Array Assembly, Task 4. Final Report

摘要

It was proposed to establish a cost effective design and manufacturing process that would produce solar cell modules capable of meeting the JPL qualification test criteria. The basic design consisted of a glass/polyvinyl butyral/Mylar laminate mounted in either aluminum or stainless steel frames. To achieve a satisfactory power output margin, the production 36 three-inch solar cell design was expanded to 41 cells interconnected with standard dual redundant contacts. Aluminum paste as a back contact has both performance and cost advantages which warranted its production evaluation. The major effort involved firing the aluminum in a large belt furnace. Prior to this time, cells were successfully fired by hand in diffusion tube type furnaces. When printed aluminum was belt fired in small lots, i.e., less than 200 wafers, acceptable cells were produced. However, when implemented into production, i.e., 1,000 wafer lots, resistance increased a factor of two. Based on this result, production of the aluminum back contact in the existing muffle type furnace was stopped, awaiting installation of a new infrared furnace. Results of qualification testing are reported. (ERA citation 03:047053)