Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous coating of at least one substrate 14 with a semiconductor material e.g. CdTe. To this end a semiconductor material is sublimated in at least one crucible 30 in order to deposit it on a substrate, e.g. a glass panel. If the crucible 30 is filled with semiconductor material (16) during the deposition and/or evaporation, the set-up time required otherwise is then eliminated. Preferably used for carrying out the method is a CSS reactor comprising a crucible, a guide for substrates and at least one lock through which the crucible can be refilled during evaporation of semiconductor material from the crucible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous coating of at least one substrate 14 with a semiconductor material e.g. CdTe. To this end a semiconductor material is sublimated in at least one crucible 30 in order to deposit it on a substrate, e.g. a glass panel. If the crucible 30 is filled with semiconductor material (16) during the deposition and/or evaporation, the set-up time required otherwise is then eliminated. Preferably used for carrying out the method is a CSS reactor comprising a crucible, a guide for substrates and at least one lock through which the crucible can be refilled during evaporation of semiconductor material from the crucible.

Abstract: Recycling process for CdTe/CdS thin film-solar cell modules in which the modules are mechanically disintegrated into module fragments, the module fragments are exposed to an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 300° C. causing a pyrolysis of adhesive material contained in the module fragments in form of a hydrocarbon based plastics material and the gaseous decomposition products that are generated during the pyrolysis are discharged, and, afterwards, the module fragments freed from the adhesive means are exposed to a chlorine-containing gas atmosphere at a temperature of more than 400° C. causing an etching process wherein the CdCl2 and TeCl4 that are generated in the etching process are made to condense and precipitate by cooling.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing substrates by means of a CSS process comprising a heated receptacle (20) for a supply (70) of material to be deposited and carrier means for holding the substrate (60) with its side to be deposited towards an opening (22) of said receptacle, said receptacle opening (22) being provided with a cover (30) including a plurality of through-holes (32) for the sublimated material, said cover separating said material supply (70) from said substrate (60) and, due to being heated to a temperature higher than that of said receptacle (20), acting as sublimation source for said substrate.

Abstract: Process and separating device for the production of a thin film solar module (10) comprising a plurality of solar cells (11) arranged side-by-side on a common substrate (12), which are produced by employing a plurality of layer deposition steps and layer separating steps during the course of cell production and which are electrically interconnected with one another, wherein after the application of a first contact layer (14) on substrate (12) and the cell-wise separation thereof a pn double layer (16) is applied on a contact layer and, thereafter, is mechanically separated in that a scraping cutting tool serving as separating device scrapes, by a relative movement to the coated substrate, a cell structure into said pn double layer, wherein said cutting tool slides, preferably without being raised or rotated, with a plane sliding surface of a flattened tip on said first contact layer (14) which has a higher hardness than said pn double layer (16).

Abstract: Process and separating means for the production of a thin film solar module (10) comprising a plurality of solar cells (11) arranged side-by-side on a common substrate (12), which are produced by employing a plurality of layer deposition steps and layer separating steps during the course of cell production and which are electrically interconnected with one another, wherein after the application of a first contact layer (14) on substrate (12) and the cell-wise separation thereof a pn double layer (16) is applied on a contact layer and, thereafter, is mechanically separated in that a scraping cutting tool serving as separating means scrapes, by a relative movement to the coated substrate, a cell structure into said pn double layer, wherein said cutting tool slides, preferably without being raised or rotated, with a plane sliding surface of a flattened tip on said first contact layer (14) which has a higher hardness than said pn double layer (16).