Patents Assigned to First Solar, Inc.
  • Photovoltaic device including a P-N junction and method of manufacturing
    Patent number: 9698285
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a p-type semiconductor absorber layer, the substrate structure including a CdSSe layer. A photovoltaic device may alternatively include a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes forming a CdSSe layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process, and vapor transport deposition process. The process includes forming a p-type absorber layer above the CdSSe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Damjanovic, Feng Liao, Rick Powell, Rui Shao, Jigish Trivedi, Zhibo Zhao
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING COATING FROM AN EDGE OF A SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20170186629
    Abstract: A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Catalano, Stephen P. Murphy, Roland Mayerhofer
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
    Publication number: 20170170353
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the surface cleaning and passivation of PV absorbers, such as CdTe substrates usable in solar cells, and devices made by such methods. In some embodiments, the method involves an anode layer ion source (ALIS) plasma discharge process to clean and oxidize a CdTe surface to produce a thin oxide layer between the CdTe layer and subsequent back contact layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Changming Jin, Sanghyun Lee, Jun-Ying Zhang
  • Process For Making Powder Alloys Containing Cadmium And Selenium
    Publication number: 20170133522
    Abstract: A process for preparing alloy products powders is described using a self-sustaining or self-propagating SHS-type combustion process. Binary, ternary and quaternary alloy having cadmium, selenium and optionally a third element X or Y selected from Group VIA (such as S or Te) or from group IIB (such as Zn or Hg). The alloy products may be doped or not with a wide variety of other elements. The process involves heating to ignition, maintaining an elevated temperature less than melting for homogenization, followed by cooling and crushing. An optional de-oxidation process may follow to further purify the alloy and balance the stoichiometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Shrinivas Govindarajan, Michael Latusek, Feng Yan
  • Photovoltaic device with oxide layer
    Patent number: 9640679
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device may include concurrently transforming a transparent conductive oxide layer from a substantially amorphous state to a substantially crystalline state and forming one or more semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Markus Gloeckler, Rui Shao, Yu Yang, Zhibo Zhao, Chungho Lee
  • DOPING AN ABSORBER LAYER OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE VIA DIFFUSION FROM A WINDOW LAYER
    Publication number: 20170104108
    Abstract: Methods for doping an absorbent layer of a p-n heterojunction in a thin film photovoltaic device are provided. The method can include depositing a window layer on a transparent substrate, where the window layer includes at least one dopant (e.g,. copper). A p-n heterojunction can be formed on the window layer, with the p-n heterojunction including a photovoltaic material (e.g., cadmium telluride) in an absorber layer. The dopant can then be diffused from the window layer into the absorber layer (e.g., via annealing).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, Robert Dwayne Gossman
  • Photovoltaic devices and method of making
    Patent number: 9608144
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device includes a window layer and an absorber layer disposed on the window layer, wherein the absorber layer includes a first region and a second region, the first region disposed adjacent to the window layer. The absorber layer further includes a first additive and a second additive, wherein a concentration of the first additive in the first region is greater than a concentration of the first additive in the second region, and wherein a concentration of the second additive in the second region is greater than a concentration of the second additive in the first region. Method of making a photovoltaic device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: James Neil Johnson, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Timothy John Sommerer
  • Method and apparatus providing inline photoluminescence analysis of a photovoltaic device
    Patent number: 9576860
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which use a photoluminescent light intensity signature to characterize a processed photovoltaic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Navneet Kumar, Amir Weiss
  • Apparatus and method employing a grinder wheel coolant guard
    Patent number: 9573239
    Abstract: Edges of panels, such as glass panels, are ground and polished using grinder wheels that are cooled and lubricated with a coolant. A coolant deflector is utilized to help prevent coolant, which may contain panel particles or abrasives, from entering between the panel and a conveying mechanism that transports the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Burgard
  • Doping an absorber layer of a photovoltaic device via diffusion from a window layer
    Patent number: 9564543
    Abstract: Methods for doping an absorbent layer of a p-n heterojunction in a thin film photovoltaic device are provided. The method can include depositing a window layer on a transparent substrate, where the window layer includes at least one dopant (e.g., copper). A p-n heterojunction can be formed on the window layer, with the p-n heterojunction including a photovoltaic material (e.g., cadmium telluride) in an absorber layer. The dopant can then be diffused from the window layer into the absorber layer (e.g., via annealing).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, Robert Dwayne Gossman
  • Dual lasers for removing glass-side debris during the manufacture of thin film photovoltaic devices
    Patent number: 9555502
    Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a scribe line in a thin film stack on an inner surface of a thin film photovoltaic superstrate are provided via the use of a cleaning laser beam and a scribing laser beam. The cleaning laser beam is focused directly onto the exposed surface of the superstrate such that the cleaning laser beam removes debris from the exposed surface of the superstrate, and the scribing laser beam is focused through the exposed surface of the superstrate and onto the thin film stack such that the scribing laser beam passes through the superstrate to form a scribe within the thin film stack on the inner surface of the superstrate. The method and system can further utilize a conveyor to transport the superstrate in a machine direction to move the superstrate past the cleaning laser source and the scribing laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, William J. Schaffer
  • System and method of solar module biasing
    Patent number: 9559518
    Abstract: A system and method for biasing one or more arrays of photovoltaic modules. An array of biasing photovoltaic modules is coupled to an array of photovoltaic modules to be biased. The coupling may be via a current regulating device. The array of biasing photovoltaic modules and current regulating device provide a forward bias current to the array of photovoltaic modules to be biased. The array of biasing photovoltaic modules includes more photovoltaic modules than the array of photovoltaic modules to be biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Ivan Charkin, Kevin V. Crots
  • Photovoltaic device containing an N-type dopant source
    Patent number: 9559247
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of using the buffer layer of a transparent conductive substrate as a dopant source for the n-type window layer of a photovoltaic device. The dopant source of the buffer layer distributes to the window layer of the photovoltaic device during semiconductor processing. Described herein are also methods of manufacturing embodiments of the substrate structure and photovoltaic device. Disclosed embodiments also describe a photovoltaic module and a photovoltaic structure with a plurality of photovoltaic devices having an embodiment of the substrate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Gloeckler
  • Slider clip and photovoltaic structure mounting system
    Patent number: 9551510
    Abstract: Described herein is a mounting system and slider clips that support simplified installation of photovoltaic structures. The mounting system comprises a support structure which can be mounted to support columns via an optional tilt table. The support structure comprises a plurality of parallel spaced beams and a plurality of parallel spaced rails that are mounted approximately perpendicular to the beams. Disclosed embodiments describe a collapsible support structure in which the rails are pivotally mounted to the beams. Rails are preassembled with prefabricated slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures. Rails can also be integrally formed with slider clips. Described herein are also methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures using the mounting system and methods for manufacturing slider clips and a photovoltaic structure mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hartelius, Michael Monaco, Kyle Kazimir
  • Method and system for manufacturing back contacts of photovoltaic devices
    Patent number: 9543457
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes a step of depositing one of an amorphous layer of ZnTe and a multilayer stack of Zn and Te adjacent a semiconductor layer. The one of the amorphous layer and the multilayer stack is then subjected to an energy impulse at a temperature equal to or greater than its critical temperature. The energy impulse results in an explosive crystallization to form a polycrystalline layer of ZnTe from the one of the amorphous layer and the multilayer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Edward Wickersham
  • Photovoltaic devices including MG-doped semiconductor films
    Patent number: 9537039
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer. The photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer and a first semiconductor layer in contact with the transparent conductive layer, the first semiconductor layer including magnesium. In certain circumstances, a substrate can be a glass substrate. In other circumstances, a substrate can be a metal layer. The first semiconductor layer can include CdS. The first semiconductor layer can have a thickness of between about 200 or 3000 Angstroms. The first semiconductor layer can include 1-20% magnesium. A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell can include providing a transparent conductive layer and depositing a first semiconductor layer in contact with the transparent conductive layer, the first semiconductor layer treated with magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Akhlesh Gupta, Ricky C. Powell, David Eaglesham
  • Method and apparatus for electrically accessing photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: 9525381
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing and/or conditioning photovoltaic modules. The apparatus includes a set of contacts for contacting electrical conductors of the module and a testing and/or conditioning system for testing and/or conditioning of the module and measuring parameters associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Khan, Markus Gloeckler, Thomas Truman, Scott Jacoby, Michael Sweet, Jigish Trivedi, James E. Hinkle, Stephen P. Murphy
  • Photovoltaic devices including heterojunctions
    Patent number: 9520513
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell including a first semiconductor layer that includes a III-V compound semiconductor, the first semiconductor layer positioned over a transparent conductive layer, and a second semiconductor layer that includes a II-VI compound semiconductor, the second semiconductor layer positioned between the first semiconductor layer and a back metal contact. The photovoltaic cell further includes an interfacial layer between the first and second semiconductor layers that enhances a rectifying junction formed between the III-V and II-VI compound semiconductor materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: David Eaglesham
  • Photovoltaic device and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 9508874
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module including a dielectric tunneling layer and methods of forming a photovoltaic module with a dielectric tunneling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Chungho Lee, Rui Shao, Gang Xiong, Zhibo Zhao
  • Photovoltaic devices and method of making
    Patent number: 9496446
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device is presented. The photovoltaic device includes a transparent conductive layer; a window layer disposed on the transparent conductive layer; and an absorber layer disposed on the window layer. The window layer includes a low-diffusivity layer disposed adjacent to the transparent conductive layer and a high-diffusivity layer interposed between the low-diffusivity layer and the absorber layer. Method of making a photovoltaic device is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbo Cao, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Dalong Zhong, Juan Carlos Rojo, Qianqian Xin, Aharon Yakimov, Hongying Peng