Abstract: A method of inline inspection of photovoltaic material for electrical anomalies. A first electrical connection is formed to a first surface of the photovoltaic material, and a second electrical connection is formed to an opposing second surface of the photovoltaic material. A localized current is induced in the photovoltaic material and properties of the localized current in the photovoltaic material are sensed using the first and second electrical connections. The properties of the sensed localized current are analyzed to detect the electrical anomalies in the photovoltaic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for both detecting and repairing a shunt defect in a solar cell substrate. A shunt detection module detects the shunt defect in the substrate, using at least one of lock-in thermography and current-voltage testing. A process diagnostic module determines whether the substrate should be passed without further processing by the apparatus, rejected without further processing by the apparatus, or repaired by the apparatus. A shunt repair module electrically isolates the shunt defect in the substrate. In this manner, a single apparatus can quickly check for shunts and make a determination as to whether the substrate is worth repairing. If it is worth repairing, then the apparatus can make the repairs to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of inline inspection of photovoltaic material for electrical anomalies. A first electrical connection is formed to a first surface of the photovoltaic material, and a second electrical connection is formed to an opposing second surface of the photovoltaic material. A localized current is induced in the photovoltaic material and properties of the localized current in the photovoltaic material are sensed using the first and second electrical connections. The properties of the sensed localized current are analyzed to detect the electrical anomalies in the photovoltaic material.

Abstract: A method of inline inspection of photovoltaic material for electrical anomalies. A first electrical connection is formed to a first surface of the photovoltaic material, and a second electrical connection is formed to an opposing second surface of the photovoltaic material. A localized current is induced in the photovoltaic material and properties of the localized current in the photovoltaic material are sensed using the first and second electrical connections. The properties of the sensed localized current are analyzed to detect the electrical anomalies in the photovoltaic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for inducing a current in a solar cell substrate. A substrate receiving surface receives the substrate, and an array of a plurality of individually addressable light sources illuminates the substrate in a sequenced manner. A sequencer controls the sequenced manner of illumination of the substrate by the array. A front side electrical contact makes electrical contact to a front side of the substrate, and a back side electrical contact makes electrical contact to a back side of the substrate. A meter is electrically connected to the front side electrical contact and the back side electrical contact, and senses the current induced in the substrate during the sequenced illumination of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of inline inspection of photovoltaic material for electrical anomalies. A first electrical connection is formed to a first surface of the photovoltaic material, and a second electrical connection is formed to an opposing second surface of the photovoltaic material. A localized current is induced in the photovoltaic material and properties of the localized current in the photovoltaic material are sensed using the first and second electrical connections. The properties of the sensed localized current are analyzed to detect the electrical anomalies in the photovoltaic material.

Abstract: To increase inspection throughput, the field of view of an infrared camera can be moved over the sample at a constant velocity. Throughout this moving, a modulation (such as optical or electrical) can be provided to the sample and infrared images can be captured using the infrared camera. Moving the field of view, providing the modulation, and capturing the infrared images can be synchronized. The infrared images can be filtered to generate the time delay lock-in thermography, thereby providing defect identification. In one embodiment, this filtering accounts for the number of pixels of the infrared camera in a scanning direction. For the case of optical modulation, a dark field region can be provided for the field of view throughout the moving, thereby providing an improved signal-to-noise ratio during filtering. Localized defects can be repaired by a laser integrated into the detection system or marked by ink for later repair in the production line.

Abstract: A method of inline inspection of photovoltaic material for electrical anomalies. A first electrical connection is formed to a first surface of the photovoltaic material, and a second electrical connection is formed to an opposing second surface of the photovoltaic material. A localized current is induced in the photovoltaic material and properties of the localized current in the photovoltaic material are sensed using the first and second electrical connections. The properties of the sensed localized current are analyzed to detect the electrical anomalies in the photovoltaic material.