Patents Assigned to First Solar, Inc.
  • Methods of fabricating a photovoltaic module, and related system
    Patent number: 9490386
    Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes fabricating a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor assembly. The fabrication step includes performing an efficiency enhancement treatment on the semiconductor assembly, wherein the efficiency enhancement treatment includes light soaking the semiconductor assembly, and heating the semiconductor assembly. The semiconductor assembly includes a window layer having an average thickness less than about 80 nanometers, wherein the window layer includes cadmium and sulfur. A related system is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Jinbo Cao, Adam Fraser Halverson, Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, Mark Jeffrey Pavol, Douglas Garth Jensen
  • Vapor transport deposition method and system for material co-deposition
    Patent number: 9490120
    Abstract: An improved feeder system and method for continuous vapor transport deposition that includes at least two vaporizers couple to a common distributor through an improved seal for separately vaporizing and collecting at least any two vaporizable materials for deposition as a material layer on a substrate. Multiple vaporizer provide redundancy and allow for continuous deposition during vaporizer maintenance and repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John Barden, Rick C. Powell
  • Back contact for a photovoltaic module
    Patent number: 9461186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic modules and methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Jayaraman, Oleh P. Karpenko
  • Method and apparatus for laser scribing glass sheet substrate coatings
    Patent number: 9457429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Borgeson, Joseph J. Hanak, Ricky S. Harju, Karen M. Harju, Norman L. Helman, Kenneth R. Hecht
  • Method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device
    Patent number: 9450115
    Abstract: A method to improve CdTe-based photovoltaic device efficiency is disclosed, the method including steps for removing surface contaminants from a semiconductor absorber layer prior to the deposition or formation of a back contact layer on the semiconductor absorber layer, the surface contaminants removed using at least one of a dry etching process and a wet etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Christensen, Pawel Mrozek, Gang Xiong, San Yu
  • Methods of making photovoltaic devices and photovoltaic devices
    Patent number: 9447489
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes method of making a photovoltaic device. The method includes disposing an absorber layer on a window layer, wherein the absorber layer includes a first region and a second region. The method includes disposing the first region adjacent to the window layer in a first environment including oxygen at a first partial pressure; and disposing the second region on the first region in a second environment including oxygen at a second partial pressure, wherein the first partial pressure is greater than the second partial pressure. One aspect of the present invention includes a photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: James Neil Johnson, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Yu Zhao
  • Method for Laser Curing of Anti-Reflective Coatings
    Publication number: 20160260848
    Abstract: A method of curing anti-reflective coatings, and photovoltaic modules produced using the method, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Martin Schuh
  • Method of reducing semiconductor window layer loss during thin film photovoltaic device fabrication, and resulting device structure
    Patent number: 9437760
    Abstract: A completed photovoltaic device and method forming it are described in which fluxing of a window layer into an absorber layer is mitigated by the presence of a sacrificial fluxing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Damjanovic, Rick C. Powell, Jigish Trivedi, Zhibo Zhao
  • Zinc blende cadmium—manganese—telluride with reduced hole compensation effects and methods for forming the same
    Patent number: 9431569
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe methods for forming cadmium-manganese-telluride (CMT), such as for use in photovoltaic devices. A substrate including a material with a zinc blend crystalline structure is provided. CMT is formed above the substrate. During the formation of the CMT, cation-rich processing conditions are maintained. The resulting CMT may be more readily provided with p-type dopants when compared to conventionally-formed CMT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Barabash, Amir Bayati, Dipankar Pramanik, Zhi-Wen Sun
  • Vapor deposition apparatus and process for continuous indirect deposition of a thin film layer on a substrate
    Patent number: 9412892
    Abstract: An apparatus and related process are provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate. A deposition head is configured for sublimating a source material supplied thereto. The sublimated source material condenses onto a transport conveyor disposed below the deposition head. A substrate conveyor is disposed below the transport conveyor and conveys substrates in a conveyance path through the apparatus such that an upper surface of the substrates is opposite from and spaced below a lower leg of the transport conveyor. A heat source is configured adjacent the lower leg of the transport conveyor. The source material plated onto the transport conveyor is sublimated along the lower leg and condenses onto to the upper surface of substrates conveyed by the substrate conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacy Ann Black
  • Electrical contact
    Patent number: 9412886
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device with a low-resistance stable electrical back contact is disclosed. The photovoltaic device can have a CuTex or CuTexNy layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pratima V. Addepalli, Sreenivas Jayaraman, Oleh P. Karpenko
  • Photovoltaic module support system
    Patent number: 9413287
    Abstract: A support system for a solar panel includes a triangular truss with connection points for mounting a photovoltaic module, and a cradle structure that supports the triangular truss and is connected to at least two side supports of the triangular truss. The cradle structure may be driven for rotation about an axis for tracking the sun and several cradle structures can be linked together for tracking movement using a buried linkage system. The truss may also be foldable for ease of transportation and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: John Hartelius
  • Method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device
    Patent number: 9406829
    Abstract: A method to improve operation of a CdTe-based photovoltaic device is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of depositing a semiconductor absorber layer adjacent to a substrate, depositing a semiconductor buffer layer adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and annealing at least one of the semiconductor absorber layer and the semiconductor buffer layer with one of a laser and a flash lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pratima Addepalli, Benyamin Buller, Markus Gloeckler, Akhlesh Gupta, David Hwang, Andrei Los, Rick Powell, Rui Shao, Gang Xiong, Ming Lun Yu, San Yu, Zhibo Zhao
  • Method of etching a semiconductor layer of a photovoltaic device
    Patent number: 9397238
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for a roughened back surface of a semiconductor absorber layer of a photovoltaic device to improve adhesion. The roughened back surface may be achieved through an etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Jianjun Wang, Oleh P. Karpenko, Thomas A. Sorenson
  • System and method for mounting photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: 9395103
    Abstract: A support structure for orienting and supporting at least one solar panel includes a lock rail and a support rail that are engaged together through a locking mount. The locking mount has a retaining pin that permits the locking rail to be connected to the support rail without tools. The locking mount may provide a permanent or a releasable connection that retains the solar panel to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Conley, Thomas Truman, Eddie Bugg
  • Method and apparatus for laser marking an object
    Patent number: 9387691
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide laser object marking methods and devices in which multiple slidable mechanisms are used for holding respective laser heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Conley, James Ernest Hinkle
  • Method of measuring vapor flux density
    Patent number: 9383316
    Abstract: A method of measuring vapor flux density including directing a light beam through a vapor flux to a pixel array sensor and using the pixel array sensor to measure attenuation of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus E. Beck, Ulrich A. Bonne, Raffi Garabedian, Erel Milshtein, Ming Lun Yu
  • METHODS OF TREATING A SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER
    Publication number: 20160181463
    Abstract: Methods for treating a semiconductor layer including a semiconductor material are presented. A method includes contacting at least a portion of the semiconductor material with a passivating agent. The method further includes forming a first region in the semiconductor layer by introducing a dopant into the semiconductor material; and forming a chalcogen-rich region. The method further includes forming a second region in the semiconductor layer, the second region including a dopant, wherein an average atomic concentration of the dopant in the second region is greater than an average atomic concentration of the dopant in the first region. Photovoltaic devices are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Franklin Foust, Hongbo Cao, Laura Anne Clark, Robert Andrew Garber, Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, Wyatt Keith Metzger, Yinghui Shan, Roman Shuba
  • Method for treating a semiconductor
    Patent number: 9373744
    Abstract: Methods for treating a semiconductor material, and for making devices containing a semiconducting material, are presented. One embodiment is a method for treating a semiconductor material that includes a chalcogenide. The method comprises contacting at least a portion of the semiconductor material with a chemical agent. The chemical agent comprises a solvent, and an iodophor dissolved in the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Franklin Foust
  • Feeder system and method for a vapor transport deposition system
    Patent number: 9359668
    Abstract: An improved feeder system and method for a vapor transport deposition system that includes a carrier gas bypass flow line to allow for continuous carrier gas flow to a vaporizer unit when a vibratory unit which supplies powdered material and carrier gas to the vaporizer unit is out of service. A process gas flow line to the vibratory unit may be included when the powdered material contains a powdered dopant in the material mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Xiong, Feng Liao, Rick C. Powell