Abstract: A system and method for applying an electrical bias to a photovoltaic device in a temperature control chamber, in which the temperature of the photovoltaic device is controlled according to a temperature profile. The temperature profile may include at least one hot phase and at least one cool phase.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 18, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2016
Assignee:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
Scott Edmonson, Yacov Elgar, Dhruv Gajaria, Weston Gerwin, Scott Jacoby, Imran Khan, Anthony Maher, Stephen P. Murphy, Gregory A. Ritz
Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate, a transparent conductive oxide, an n-type window layer, a p-type absorber layer and an electron reflector layer. The electron reflector layer may include zinc telluride doped with copper telluride, zinc telluride alloyed with copper telluride, or a bilayer of multiple layers containing zinc, copper, cadmium and tellurium in various compositions. A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes forming a 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 an electron reflector layer over a p-type absorber layer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 11, 2016
Publication date:
May 5, 2016
Applicant:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
San Yu, Veluchamy Palaniappagounder, Pratima Addepalli, Imran Khan
Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate which includes a distributor for providing a semiconductor coating on a substrate, a power source for heating the distributor and a plasma source positioned proximate to a distributor for exposing the semiconductor coating to a plasma prior to deposition on the substrate.
Abstract: Thin film photovoltaic devices that include at least one lead bar extending through a connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate are provided. The photovoltaic device can include: a transparent substrate; a plurality of photovoltaic cells on the transparent substrate; a first conductive ribbon electrically connected to a first photovoltaic cell; an encapsulation substrate laminated to the transparent substrate such that the plurality of photovoltaic cells and the conductive ribbon are positioned between the transparent substrate and the encapsulation substrate; and, a first lead bar extending through a first connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate. The first lead bar is electrically connected to the first conductive ribbon. For example, a meltable conductive material can be connected to the first lead bar and to the first conductive ribbon to establish an electrical connection therebetween.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
Kim James Clark, Max William Reed, Bradley Robert Crume, Troy Alan Berens
Abstract: A method for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material, such as CdTe, onto substrates in a continuous, non-stop manner through the apparatus is provided. The sublimated source material moves through a distribution plate and deposits onto the upper surface of the substrates as they are conveyed through the deposition area. The substrates move into and out of the deposition area through entry and exit slots that are defined by transversely extending entrance and exit seals. The seals are disposed at a gap distance above the upper surface of the substrates that is less than the distance or spacing between the upper surface of the substrates and the distribution plate. The seals have a ratio of longitudinal length (in the direction of conveyance of the substrates) to gap distance of from about 10:1 to about 100:1.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
Max William Reed, Stacy Ann Black, Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, Mark Jeffrey Pavol
Abstract: In various embodiments, a physical vapor deposition tile arrangement is provided. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement may include a plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and a resilient structure configured to press the plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 25, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignees:
First Solar, Inc., VON ARDENNE GmbH
Inventors:
Bernd Teichert, Klaus Schneider, Christoph Kaiser, Michael Rivkin, George Arthur Proulx
Abstract: Photovoltaic devices are provided that include a thin film stack (of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other) on a transparent substrate, a first busbar electrically connected to the first terminal cell, and a second busbar electrically connected to the second terminal cell. An encapsulation substrate is on the plurality of thin film layers and defines a first connection aperture positioned over the first busbar and a second connection aperture positioned over the second bus bar. A first electrical connector is positioned on the encapsulation substrate and is electrically connected to the first busbar through the first connection aperture, and a second electrical connector is positioned on the encapsulation substrate and is electrically connected to the second busbar through the second connection aperture. Solar arrays and kits are also provided that include such photovoltaic devices and a connection cable.
Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which cadmium chloride is deposited on a cadmium telluride layer while simultaneously heat treating the cadmium telluride layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 2012
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2016
Assignee:
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Inventors:
Akhlesh Gupta, Markus Gloeckler, Ricky C. Powell
Abstract: A photovoltaic device including a protective layer between a window layer and an absorber layer, the protective layer inhibiting dissolving/intermixing of the window layer into the absorber layer during a device activation step, and methods of forming such photovoltaic devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 3, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2016
Assignee:
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Inventors:
Daniel Damjanovic, Jing Guo, Sreenivas Jayaraman, Oleh P. Karpenko, Feng Liao, Chong Lim, Rick C. Powell, Jigish Trivedi, Zhibo Zhao
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:
December 13, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2016
Assignee:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Jinbo Cao, Adam Fraser Halverson, Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, Mark Jeffrey Pavol, Douglas Garth Jensen
Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transparent oxide layer is provided. The manufacturing method includes disposing a cadmium tin oxide layer on a support, placing the support with the cadmium tin oxide layer within a chamber of a rapid thermal annealing system, and rapidly thermally annealing the cadmium tin oxide layer by exposing the cadmium tin oxide layer to electromagnetic radiation to form the transparent oxide layer, wherein the rapid thermal anneal is performed without first pumping down the chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 29, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2016
Assignee:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
Hongying Peng, Robert Dwayne Gossman, Juan Carlos Rojo, Steven Jude Duclos
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:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2016
Assignee:
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
Abstract: A method and apparatus for an amount of Cu or Sb dopant incorporated into a zinc-based layer as the layer is being formed. The layer is formed over a coated substrate using an electrochemical deposition (ECD) process. In the ECD process, the bias voltage and plating solution composition may be systematically changed during the electrochemical deposition process to change the amount of Cu or Sb dopant incorporated into the plated layer.
Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate, a transparent conductive oxide, an n-type window layer, a p-type absorber layer and an electron reflector layer. The electron reflector layer may include zinc telluride doped with copper telluride, zinc telluride alloyed with copper telluride, or a bilayer of multiple layers containing zinc, copper, cadmium and tellurium in various compositions. A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes forming a 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 an electron reflector layer over a p-type absorber layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2016
Assignee:
First Solar, Inc.
Inventors:
San Yu, Veluchamy Palaniappagounder, Pratima Addepalli, Imran Khan
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.