Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of solar cell coverglass assemblies to degrade wherein the solar cell assembly contains coated or uncoated coverglass, the method comprises exposing the solar cell coverglass assembly with a pulsing laser having an energy per unit area per pulse which distinguishes by laser damage between coverglass assemblies that have an anomalously high propensity to darken under solar exposure and those that only have a normal, nominal propensity to darken; and, characterizing the propensity of the coverglass assemblies to darken. The process results in an improvement of the long-term power output of solar cells by maintaining optical transparency and reducing temperature increases arising from increased solar absorption in darkened coverglass assemblies.

Abstract: A solar simulator is provided having a radiation source for generating radiation with a spectral (energy) distribution that largely corresponds to the spectral distribution of sunlight. At least one filter is arranged in the region of the radiation source. This filter suppresses long wave or short wave radiation components of the radiation source. The filter is movable, basically perpendicular, to the irradiation direction of the radiation source. An irradiation plane capable of accommodating objects to be irradiated is set at a distance from the radiation source and the at least one filter such that the radiation coming directly from the radiation source, as well as the at least one filter, impinge on the irradiation plane as basically homogenous radiation of a punctiform light source.

Abstract: Directionally solidified, multicrystalline silicon having a low proportion of electrically active grain borders, its manufacturing and utilisation, as well as solar cells comprising said silicon and a method of manufacturing said cells.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes an electrical parameter detection unit including an operating current detector unit for a solar cell element and a communication unit for communicating an output from the operating current detection unit, thereby providing a solar cell module capable of easily specifying a malfunctioning solar cell module.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises a photovoltaic device having a flexible substrate. The photovoltaic device has a strain at least partly in the planar direction of the flexible substrate, and the strain is not greater than a critical value at which the photovoltaic device cracks. The solar cell module may further comprise a strain holding means for holding the strain. A deformable region where the photovoltaic device can be deformed when a region embracing the photovoltaic device is worked is defined so that a great variety of solar cell modules having a high reliability, also taking account of manufacture, can be designed with good efficiency.

Abstract: The film thickness of a p-type semiconductor was adjusted in order to achieve 0.85-0.99 times the maximum pre-irradiation open-circuit voltage. In order to achieve 0.85-0.99 times the maximum pre-irradiation open-circuit voltage, it was also shown to be favorable to control acceptor impurity levels in p-type semiconductors. Irradiation conditions of more than 10 hours at 1 SUN or (light intensity [SUN])2×10 or more (time [h])>10 were utilized.

Abstract: A reverse biasing apparatus is used to remove short-circuited portions in a solar battery module having multiple strings of solar cells each including a first electrode layer, a photovoltaic semiconductor layer and a second electrode layer formed on a glass substrate, by applying a reverse bias voltage between the electrodes of adjacent solar cells. The reverse biasing apparatus comprises probes to be in contact with the electrodes of adjacent three or more strings of solar cells, an actuator for actuating the probes up and down, and a relay switch for selecting, from the probes, a pair of probes for applying the reverse bias voltage between the electrodes of an arbitrary pair of adjacent solar cells. The use of the reverse biasing apparatus can ensure an efficient reverse biasing process on a solar battery module having integrated multiple strings of solar cells.

Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of solar cell cover glass or second surface mirror to ultraviolet (UV) degradation comprises the steps of illuminating the solar cell cover glass with ultra violet light at a preselected illumination angle where the solar cell cover glass reflects a portion of the ultraviolet light; measuring the reflected portion of the ultraviolet light; and, characterizing the propensity of the cover glass or contaminate layer on a second surface mirror to degradation as a function of the reflectance. The process results in an improvement of the long-term power output of solar cells by screening out cover glasses that have a propensity to darken under solar-equivalent UV exposure and thus maintaining optical transparency arising from increased solar absorption in darkened cover glass. The process will additionally result in decreased contaminant levels on thermal control surfaces and less on-orbit degradation.

Abstract: There are provided a restricted area including an area in which solar cell modules are installed, a preventer for preventing intrusion of an intruder into the restricted area, and a detector capable of detecting the intrusion of the intruder into the restricted area, and a predetermined electric shock preventer is activated by a signal outputted from the detector upon detection of the intruder to prevent the intruder from receiving an electric shock.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to accurately detect a defective photoelectric conversion element regardless of the installation place and indicate the corresponding information. The above object can be achieved by a power generating system having a solar cell array constituted by a plurality of parallel-connected solar cell strings each consisting of a plurality of series-connected solar cell modules. The system includes electrical parameter detection units for measuring electrical parameters in solar cell strings, a comparing unit for mutually comparing the detected electrical parameters, and a unit for warning of an abnormality on the basis of the comparison result.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated thin film solar battery module including a substrate, and a plurality of unit cells connected in series on the substrate, each of the unit cells having a first electrode layer, a semiconductor layer and a second electrode layer which are stacked one upon the other on the substrate. The method includes the steps of scribing the first electrode layer formed on the substrate, forming a semiconductor layer on the first electrode layer, scribing the semiconductor layer for each of the plurality of unit cells to form openings for connection to the first electrode layer, forming a second electrode layer on the semiconductor layer, scribing the second electrode layer and the semiconductor layer in the vicinity of the openings formed in the semiconductor layer, allowing an edge surface of the semiconductor layer to be exposed to the outside by removing residues of the second electrode layer and the semiconductor layer, and applying a heat treatment at 130° C.

Abstract: By inspecting an electrical wiring route of a solar cell module while applying a load to the solar cell module, it is possible to more accurately judge the presence or absence of a defect in the electrical wiring route of the solar cell module.

Abstract: A process for producing a solar cell module comprising at least a photovoltaic element module is provided. The photovoltaic element module is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic elements with each other, after the individual photovoltaic elements are identified or classified into a plurality of groups which are different from each other in property and attribute. The photovoltaic element module is formed such that at least two kinds of photovoltaic elements having different property and attribute co-exist therein. A solar cell module having at least a photovoltaic element module comprising a plurality of photovoltaic elements electrically connected with each other is also provided; the plurality of photovoltaic elements comprises photovoltaic elements identified or classified into at least two kinds which are different in terms of property and attribute.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device for converting radiation energy into electric power, includes a front side exposed to radiation from a radiation source, a backside; and a cooling unit having a liquid medium, e.g. water, arranged between the front side and the radiation source. The liquid medium is surrounded by an envelope, and forms with the envelope a selective filter allowing passage of radiation useful for the photovoltaic effect and converting the longer wave radiation into hear which is immediately dissipated to substantially prevent heating of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A method for removing short circuits in thin film solar cell elements during manufacturing by applying a pseudo-alternating voltage between the substrate side and the back electrodes of the solar cell elements. The waveform of the pseudo-alternating voltage may be a sinusoidal wave, a half-wave sinusoidal wave, a sawtooth wave, a square wave or the like. The peak voltage in the reverse direction is up to the reverse breakdown voltage of the solar cell element, and the waveform may either contain a small forward component or no fond component The peak voltage in Se reverse direction may also momentarily exceed the reverse breakdown voltage. The period of the pseudo-alternating voltage matches the tine constant of the solar cell element determined by the capacity and reverse resistance of the solar cell element.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection arrangement for a solar cell assembly (SCA) is suitable for the use as a component of orbiting solar generators. The SCA is constructed of a cover glass provided with a conductive vapor deposit, a bonding layer and a solar cell. At least a portion of a side face of the SCA is provided with a conductive layer which conductively connects the conductive layer on the cover glass and the solar cell.

Abstract: A device for directing a defined light beam onto a photosensitive area, for testing the performance of a photovoltaic module including said photosensitive area, comprising a support structure (1) which can be turned about a vertical central axis (4) in accordance with the actual azimuthal sun position. Housing (7) receives the photovoltaic module with the photosensitive area (6) of said module in a horizontal position, the housing being located in the lower portion of the support structure. A first mirror (2) which can be tilted about a horizontal axis (3) in order adapt its position continuously to the sun elevation position and to optimize the sun light impact thereon, and a second mirror (5) is fixed to the support structure (1) vertically above the photosensitive area (6) of the module and receives the light beam from the first mirror (2) for reflexion towards said area (6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing photovoltaic solar cells using multiple flashlamps is disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing a plurality of flashlamps, pulsing the flashlamps to expose the solar cell to light for a short period of time, preferably less than about 100 milliseconds, and measuring a characteristic of the photovoltaic solar cell in response to the radiation emitted by the flashlamps. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for use in testing triple junction solar cells, the apparatus includes six flashlamps: one flashlamp tailored to emit light in a portion of the light spectrum for stimulating each of the three junctions, and three additional flashlamps for conducting specialized testing.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a highly reliable semiconductor element with high performance, and a fabrication method for such highly reliable semiconductor with excellent mass producibility. The photovoltaic elements comprise an electric conductor, semiconductor regions and a transparent conductor layer, which are sequentially formed on a substrate. The shunt resistance in the semiconductor element is rendered in the range from 1.times.10.sup.3 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 to 1.times.10.sup.6 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 by performing a forming treatment and a short circuit passivation treatment after forming the transparent conductor layer, and then selectively covering with insulation the defective portions with a cationic or anionic electrodeposited resin, or performing a forming treatment, after forming the semiconductor layers, then selectively covering with insulation the defective portions with a cationic or anionic electrodeposited resin, and then forming the transparent conductor layer.

Abstract: For facilitating work and improving durability of a grounding conductor without a need for preparation of a separate grounding conductor for grounding a solar cell array, a solar cell array is provided comprising a plurality of solar cell modules each comprising a solar cell element and an electroconductive outer portion, the plurality of solar cell modules being electrically connected by an electric wire, wherein the electric wire has a plurality of cores, at least one of the cores being connected to an electric connection portion for leading a power of the solar cell elements out and at least one of the cores being connected to a grounding portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules comprising (a) providing a crystalline silicon photovoltaic module having (i) a glass substrate, (ii) at least one layer of polymeric material, and (iii) at least one solar cell, (b) providing an inert atmosphere, and (c) heating the module in the inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion system, in which two separated arrays of refracting elements disperse incident sunlight and concentrate the sunlight onto solar energy converters, such that each converter receives a narrow portion of the broad solar spectrum and thereby operates at higher efficiency.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the current-voltage characteristic curve of a solar panel uses cost-effective equipment and a minimized need of optical output power. A light pulse is applied to the solar panel and the response of the solar panel to the light pulse is measured by varying the electrical load connected to the output of the solar panel. The measurement is carried out with the help of a short-duration decaying light pulse such that the falling tail of the pulse is used for such a short period that the intensity of the pulse does not have time to change essentially during the measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for fabricating an array of photovoltaic elements connected in series, which can be used as a high-efficiency solar battery, at low cost and with high reliability. The process for fabricating the array of photovoltaic elements connected in series is characterized in that a step (.alpha.) for forming insulating strips of second electrode material is carried out by immersing in a solution a substrate having a first electrode thereon, and on which the second electrode is deposited, and an opposed electrode of a concentrated electric field type positioned opposite the surface of the second electrode in the vicinity thereof and applying a voltage between the first electrode and the opposed electrode. Further, it is characterized in that a step (.beta.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to accurately detect a defective photoelectric conversion element regardless of the installation place and indicate the corresponding information. The above object can be achieved by a power generating system having a solar cell array constituted by a plurality of parallel-connected solar cell strings each consisting of a plurality of series-connected solar cell modules. The system includes electrical parameter detection units for measuring electrical parameters in solar cell strings, a comparing unit for mutually comparing the detected electrical parameters, and a unit for warning of an abnormality on the basis of the comparison result.

Abstract: Time coefficient .beta., voltage coefficient d and temperature coefficient .phi..sub.0 of a jumbo TFT including a plurality of TFTs connected parallel to each other and manufactured under the same condition are obtained through experiment using -BT stress test, mean value .mu. and standard deviation .sigma.

Abstract: A solar cell fabricated on an insulative substrate, which comprises a first electrode formed on said insulative substrate, a photovoltaic conversion layer formed on said first electrode, an insulative layer formed on said photovoltaic conversion layer, and a second electrode formed on said insulative layer, wherein said insulative layer comprises a plurality of openings in which said second electrode is electrically connected with the photovoltaic conversion layer. Also claimed is a process for fabricating the same.

Abstract: An inexpensive method of improving photo-voltaic cell efficiency through preventive maintenance. An electro-static generator places a constant electro-static charge upon the surface of a photo-voltaic cell, or its facial housing. This charge then repels small, unwanted dust and dirt particles. The system also includes an electrical circuit which not only monitors the charge being applied to the cell, but also discharges the electro-static charge when it becomes too great.

Abstract: The quality of CuInSe.sub.2 solar cells is estimated during the manufacturing process by using a photoluminescence analysis. Emitted luminescence is measured upon irradiation of a CuInSe.sub.2 thin film with laser light, and estimation is performed on the basis of the luminous intensity. Specifically, non-defective products can be obtained by using lots in which the maximum luminous intensity in the spectral range of luminescent light of 0.8.about.0.9 eV of a sample cooled to liquid nitrogen-temperature or to liquid helium temperature is not lower than a predetermined value or is higher than the maximum luminous intensity in the spectral range of 0.9.about.1.0 eV. Further, after the manufacturing process is completed, by using this estimation, it is possible to rank the products after completion of the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A two-step back-side hydrogenation process includes the steps of first bombarding the back side of the silicon substrate with hydrogen ions with intensities and for a time sufficient to implant enough hydrogen atoms into the silicon substrate to potentially passivate substantially all of the defects and impurities in the silicon substrate, and then illuminating the silicon substrate with electromagnetic radiation to activate the implanted hydrogen, so that it can passivate the defects and impurities in the substrate. The illumination step also annihilates the hydrogen-induced defects. The illumination step is carried out according to a two-stage illumination schedule, the first or low-power stage of which subjects the substrate to electromagnetic radiation that has sufficient intensity to activate the implanted hydrogen, yet not drive the hydrogen from the substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing a photoelectric conversion device comprising a substrate having a conductive surface, a semiconductor layer disposed on said conductive surface of said substrate, a transparent and conductive layer disposed on said semiconductor layer and a collecting electrode disposed on said transparent and conductive layer, wherein one or more defective portions formed at the semiconductor layer are repaired by means of electrolytic treatment using an electrolytic solution containing a material capable of providing an insulating material, wherein the conductive surface of the substrate is made an electrode, to thereby deposit an insulating material selectively at each of the defective portions.

Abstract: Solar cells are formed of semi-conductor spheres of P-type interior having an N-type skin are pressed between a pair of aluminum foil members forming the electrical contacts to the P-type and N-type regions. The aluminum foils, which comprise 1.0% silicon by weight, are flexible and electrically insulated from one another. The spheres are patterned in a foil matrix forming a cell. Multiple cells can be interconnected to form a module of solar cell elements for converting sun light into electricity.

Abstract: An electronic device of the type including a thin film body having a superposed metallic electrode has short circuit defects therein passivated by a conversion process in which the electrical resistivity of the metallic electrode material is increased proximate the defect regions. Conversion is accomplished by exposing the metallic electrode material to a conversion reagent and activating the reagent proximate the defect regions. The process may be utilized for a variety of differently configured devices, and may be readily adapted for use in a roll-to-roll device fabrication process.

Abstract: A trough-type reflecting solar concentrator and receiver system for aerospace use is disclosed. The reflecting surface is a thin flexible sheet attached to and disposed between curved ribs. The amount of the sheet reflecting sunlight can be changed by winding the unnecessary quantity of sheet onto a roll. The focal length of the curved ribs and therefore the sheet can be changed by flexurally deforming the curved ribs by applying end loads, causing a change in the flux density at the receiver. A similar result is achieved by changing the distance between the reflecting surface and the receiver. The receiver is a photovoltaic array, thermal absorber, or a combination of both. Means for proportioning the amount of energy incident on each type of receiver is disclosed. A spectral splitting thermal absorber with scattering capability is disclosed as a pre-filter for the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device is disclosed which is free from current leakage due to pin-holes or other gaps. Also an improved method for processing a semiconductor device is shown. According to the invention, gaps produced during the fabricating process of the semiconductor layer are filled with insulator in advance of deposition of electrodes. By virtue of this configuration, short current paths do not result when electrodes are provided on the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Photoelectric conversion devices are manufactured at high yield by repairing the devices during the final steps of the manufacuturing process. Short current paths resulting from the formation process of semiconductor layers can be eliminated by applying a reverse voltage to the layers, which thus are heated and made insulating. After the elimination of the short current paths, the reverse current no longer passes beyond 15 mA on a reverse voltage of 8 V.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device is disclosed which is free from current leakage due to pin-holes or other gaps. Also an improved method for processsing a semiconductor device is shown. According to the invention, gaps produced in fabricating process of the semiconductor layer are filled with insulator in advance of deposition of electrodes.

Abstract: A method for avoiding shorts between two separated layer electrodes in a layered electrical component, such as a solar cell having amorphous silicon layers, includes the steps of generating a first electrode layer on a substrate, generating an intermediate non-electrode layer, which may possibly have voids therein, over the first electrode, and generating a photo-resist layer on the intermediate layer which fills any voids which may exist in the intermediate layer. The substrate and the first electrode layer are transmissive for selected radiation, and the intermediate layer is non-transmissive for the selected radiation. The photo-resist is exposed in the voids by irradiation with the selected radiation through the substrate and the first electrode layer, so that the exposed photo-resist in the voids has a different solubility than the unexposed remainder of the photo-resist.

Abstract: An electronic device of the type including a thin film body having a superposed electrode has short circuit defects therein passivated by a conversion process in which the electrical resistivity of the electrode material is increased proximate the defect regions. Conversion is accomplished by exposing the electrode material to a conversion reagent and activating the reagent proximate the defect regions. The process may be utilized for a variety of differently configured devices, and may be readily adapted for use in a roll-to-roll device fabrication process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a thin-film photoelectric transducer. The transducer has a transparent substrate, an amorphous silicon layer and a metal layer; the apparatus has a processing laser for patterning each of the layers. In addition, a separate visible laser is used to detect defects in the layers and the processor laser is then used to correct the defects.

Abstract: The invention involves (1) forming a transparent conductive film on an insulating transparent substrate, with the transparent conductive film defining a first electrode, (2) forming a non-crystalline semiconductor film on the transparent conductive film, (3) detecting any pinholes existing in the non-crystalline semiconductor film, (4) applying a laser beam in a reducing atmosphere through the detected pinholes to portions of the transparent conductive film located at portions of the pinholes, such that the portions of the transparent conductive film located at positions at which the pinholes are present are caused to have a high resistance by reduction, and (5) finally forming a metal film on the non-crystalline semiconductor film to define a second electrode.

Abstract: A radio frequency (rf) probing technique is disclosed for determining whether an rf signal injected into one termination of a series-connected string of photovoltaic (PV) modules has been conducted to successive positions in the string. A signal generator is provided for generating a carrier signal which is modulated by an audio frequency tone. The generator is capacitively coupled to one of the terminations of the module string to inject the modulated carrier signal into the string. A receiver is tuned to the carrier frequency and adapted to demodulate the audio tone. Rf signals are coupled to the receiver by a probe including a shielded plate electrode, which may be disposed adjacent the active surfaces of successive ones of the modules in order to detect the presence or absence of the rf signal at that point in the string. An alternate technique is disclosed, whereby a measurement of the capacitance-to-ground of the string is compared against a reference capacitance value of a fault-free system.

Abstract: Removal of defects from semiconductors by applying a reverse bias potential to the semiconductors and irradiating the semiconductors with photon energy greater than their bangap energies.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously producing a relatively large-area, lightweight array of amorphous semiconductor alloy photovoltaic cells having no substrate includes depositing a semiconductor alloy film, such as amorphous silicon, on a travelling surrogate substrate, applying a support material to the traveling film to give it mechanical strength and separating the film and support material from the traveling surrogate substrate by exposing them to a thermal shock. The surrogate substrate is preferably an endless stainless steel band from which the deposited alloy film is repeatedly stripped and on which deposits are repeatedly made. The apparatus may include a cleaning station for cleaning the surrogate substrate after an alloy film is removed from the substrate and before another alloy film is deposited. The apparatus may provide for the deposition and patterning of a back electrode on the substrate before deposition of the alloy film to form one set of electrical interconnections for the array.

Abstract: Thin film photovoltaic cells having a pair of semiconductor layers between an opaque and a transparent electrical contact are manufactured in a method which includes the step of scanning one of the semiconductor layers to determine the location of any possible shorting defect. Upon the detection of such defect, the defect is eliminated to increase the durability and yield of the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for scribing at least three grid contacts of a photovoltaic cell to electrically isolate them from the grid contact pattern used to collect solar current generated by the cell, and using the scribed segments for determining parameters of the cell by a combination of contact end resistance (CER) measurements using a minimum of three equally or unequally spaced lines, and transmission line modal (TLM) measurements using a minimum of four unequally spaced lines. TLM measurements may be used to determine sheet resistance under the contact, R.sub.sk, while CER measurements are used to determine contact resistivity, .rho..sub.c, from a nomograph of contact resistivity as a function of contact end resistance and sheet resistivity under the contact. In some cases, such as the case of silicon photovoltaic cells, sheet resistivity under the contact may be assumed to be equal to the known sheet resistance, R.sub.

Abstract: A tray for testing and storage of photovoltaic e.g. solar cells, is described, enabling processing or testing of such cells to be conducted while supported on the tray. The tray comprises a base having a peripheral rim extending upwardly around the upper surface of the base, and serving to at least partially retain one or more of the cells within a pre-defined position on the upper surface. One or more indexing elements are provided on the upper surface of the tray to co-operate with the peripheral rim to define a number of pre-defined cell positions on the upper surface of the tray, for selectively retaining any of a plurality of different sized cells. A vacuum chamber is provided to retain the solar cell in its pre-defined position on the tray. Apertures are provided in the base of the tray and extend to the pre-defined cell positions to permit probes to extend therethrough and into contact with the solar cell.

Abstract: A photoresponsive device characterized by the capability of having photoinduced defects annealed out of the photoactive region thereof in a low temperature process. Low temperature annealability is provided by including small amounts of dopant material in the photoactive region of the semiconductor material of the device. More particularly, the incorporation of small amounts of a p-dopant, such as boron, into the intrinsic region of a p-i-n photovoltaic device lowers the annealing temperature thereof. Such low temperature annealable photovoltaic devices may be incorporated into modules designed to operate at temperatures sufficient to remove said light induced defects, thereby providing a photovoltaic module exhibiting long term stability in its energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for logging current-voltage (I-V) characteristic d of a solar cell module (10) in two modes using a portable instrument. One mode controls the load current through a circuit (36) in 256 equal intervals while voltage is measured from open circuit to at least halfway into the knee of the curve and the other mode controls the load voltage through a circuit (34) in 256 equal intervals from the lowest voltage measurement possible (short circuit) to at least halfway into the knee of the curve, under control of a microcomputer (12). All measurements are packed by discarding each measurement that is within 0.5% of the value predicted from two previous measurements, except every ninth (9th) measurement which is retained.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and eliminating latent and existing short circuit current paths through photovoltaic devices of the type including at least one semiconductor region overlying a substrate and a layer of conductive light transmissive material overlying the at least one semiconductor region are disclosed. The latent paths are first converted to existing short circuit current paths by applying a bias voltage to the devices. The short circuit current paths which are eliminated extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. The resistivity of the short circuit current paths is increased substantially at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path.