Abstract: A method for screen printing of a material on a substrate is provided. The method includes moving a process head assembly having at least one deposition device from a first position to a second position to perform a stroke, wherein the stroke includes at least a first phase for material processing of a material on a screen device using the at least one deposition device and a second phase for a material transfer from the screen device to the substrate. The at least one deposition device moves in a first direction in the first phase. At least one device moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the first phase. The at least one deposition device and the at least one device simultaneously move during at least a part of the first phase. The at least one device is selected from the group including the at least one deposition device, a material processing device, the screen device, and a substrate support.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly arranging solar cell elements that includes: a transport device for moving at least one solar cell element at a first speed; a transfer device that includes at least one gripping unit configured to grip the at least one solar cell element; and an actuator configured to move the transfer device at a second speed that is higher than the first speed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus (100) for aligning a solar cell element (10). The apparatus (100) includes a transfer device (110) configured for moving the solar cell element (10) from a first position on a carrying device (140) to a second position on a support device, a first detection device (120) configured to detect information about a first position of the solar cell element on the carrying device, and a second detection device (126) configured to detect information about an intermediate position of the solar cell element in relation to the transfer device (110), the transfer device being configured to adjust the orientation of the transfer device based on the information about the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first processing line. The first processing line includes a cleaving station adapted for separating a solar cell into two or more solar cell pieces. The apparatus includes a second processing line. The second processing line includes a storing station adapted for storing a plurality of solar cell pieces. The second processing line includes a transportation system adapted for transporting a solar cell piece from the storing station to the first processing line.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support device for conveying at least one solar cell element in a transport direction, wherein the support device comprises a support element configured for supporting the at least one solar cell element and an electric arrangement configured for providing an electrostatic force for holding the at least one solar cell element on the support element.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing semiconductor cells, the apparatus comprises a printing device for printing on a semiconductor cell, a monitoring device configured to monitor characteristics of the printed semiconductor cell, and a cleaning device configured for cleaning at least one part of the printing device based on the monitored characteristics of the semiconductor cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support device for conveying at least one solar cell element in a transport direction, wherein the support device comprises a support element configured for supporting the at least one solar cell element and an electric arrangement configured for providing an electrostatic force for holding the at least one solar cell element on the support element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support device for conveying at least one solar cell element in a transport direction, wherein the support device comprises a support element configured for supporting the at least one solar cell element and an electric arrangement configured for providing an electrostatic force for holding the at least one solar cell element on the support element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for separating a solar cell into two or more solar cell pieces. The apparatus includes a moveable arrangement, a separation device attached to the moveable arrangement, and a holding device attached to the moveable arrangement via one or more elastic elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for aligning a solar cell element. The apparatus includes a transfer device configured for moving the solar cell element from a first position on a transport device to a second position on a support device, a detection device configured to detect a first orientation of the solar cell element on the transport device and configured to detect a second orientation of the solar cell element held by the transfer device, and a controller configured to change an orientation of the solar cell element held by the transfer device based on at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation to align the solar cell element.

Abstract: A method for screen printing of a material on a substrate is provided. The method includes moving a process head assembly having at least one deposition device from a first position to a second position to perform a stroke, wherein the stroke includes at least a first phase for material processing of a material on a screen device using the at least one deposition device and a second phase for a material transfer from the screen device to the substrate. The at least one deposition device moves in a first direction in the first phase. At least one device moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the first phase. The at least one deposition device and the at least one device simultaneously move during at least a part of the first phase. The at least one device is selected from the group including the at least one deposition device, a material processing device, the screen device, and a substrate support.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of at least two arrangements of solar cell pieces is provided. The apparatus includes at least one positioning device configured for positioning two or more solar cell pieces on a support device for forming the at least two arrangements, wherein the apparatus is configured to allocate the two or more solar cell pieces to a respective arrangement of the at least two arrangements based on one or more properties of the two or more solar cell pieces.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for manufacture of at least two solar cell arrangements. The apparatus includes a separation device configured for separating a first solar cell into two or more first solar cell solar cell pieces, and at least one positioning device configured for positioning at least one first solar cell piece of the two or more first solar cell pieces on a support device for forming a first solar cell arrangement of the at least two solar cell arrangements and for positioning at least one other first solar cell piece of the two or more first solar cell pieces on the support device for forming a second solar cell arrangement of the at least two solar cell arrangements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar cell production apparatus for processing a substrate. The solar cell production apparatus includes at least one substrate support configured to support the substrate; one or more printing stations configured for forming a printing structure on the substrate positioned on the substrate support; and an inspection system including at least one first camera, wherein the at least one first camera is configured for detecting a position of the printing structure on the substrate positioned on the substrate support while the substrate is passing through a field of view of the at least one first camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a material recovery device and a first linear motor configured for adjusting a distance of the material recovery device with respect to a substrate support. Further, a method for printing of a material on a substrate is provided that includes positioning a material recovery device with respect to a substrate support using a first linear motor.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus used for simulating spectrum of solar radiation and testing a photovoltaic device using the simulated spectrum of solar radiation. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a light-source device configured to reproducing spectrum of solar radiation, the light-source device comprising a radiation plate divided into a plurality of cells, and each of the cells comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes emitting at least two different wavelengths, and a substrate support disposed opposite to the light-source device. In one example, the plurality of light-emitting diodes emit a wavelength that is selected from the group consisting of colors blue, green, yellow, red, a first and a second color in infrared having different wavelengths with respect to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention also generally provide a solar cell formation process that includes the formation of metal contacts over heavily doped regions that are formed in a desired pattern on a surface of a substrate. Embodiments of the invention also provide an inspection system and supporting hardware that is used to reliably position a similarly shaped, or patterned, metal contact structure on the patterned heavily doped regions to allow an Ohmic contact to be made. The metal contact structure, such as fingers and busbars, are formed on the heavily doped regions so that a high quality electrical connection can be formed between these two regions.

Abstract: An automatic store and a method for storing plates of electronic circuits comprising a feed belt that feeds the plates of electronic circuits along a first plane (F); collection boxes positioned along at least one side of the feed belt and in which the plates of electronic circuits fed by the feed belt are grouped together according to quality classes; and one or more clearing stations disposed in cooperation with the feed belt in order to position the plates of electronic circuits in the respective collection boxes. The store comprises at least two rows of collection boxes disposed along at least one side of the feed belt, and a movement unit associated with the collection boxes to discharge the filled collection boxes and to position new collection boxes to be filled.

Abstract: A testing device (100) is disclosed for testing wafers (11), comprising a measuring head (10) provided with three functional blocks (12, 13, 14), each able to move independently from the others, to carry out different resistive measurements on a cell or wafer (11). Each of the functional blocks (12, 13, 14) supports respective measuring probes (15), suitable to be placed into contact with metallization lines or fingers (16), made on the wafers (11).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming solar cells with selective emitters are provided. A method includes positioning a substrate on a substrate receiving surface. The substrate has a surface comprising a first patterned heavily doped region having a first dopant concentration that defines the selective emitters, and a second doped emitter region having a second dopant concentration that is less than the first dopant concentration, wherein the second doped emitter region surrounds the first patterned heavily doped region. The method further comprises determining a position of the first patterned heavily doped region by using a Fourier transform to process a filtered optical image, aligning one or more distinctive elements in a screen printing mask with the first patterned heavily doped region by using information received from the determined position of the first patterned heavily doped region, and depositing a layer of material on a portion of the first patterned heavily doped region.