Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum deposition source heating system and to a vacuum deposition system having such a heating system. The vacuum deposition source heating system is mountable to a vacuum deposition system and comprises: a heating element (1) designed for heating a deposition source, a power supply element (2), electrically connected to the heating element for providing electrical power to the heating element (1); a connection member (3), electrically connecting the power supply element (2) to the heating element, whereby the power supply element is mechanically mounted to the connection member (3) in an elastic manner, and whereby the connection member comprises a spring element (31) made of an elastic carbon material.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly includes a trace that includes a plurality of electrically conductive portions. The plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured both to collect current from a first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to a second solar cell. In addition, the plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of the plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired.

Abstract: A powder spray nozzle includes an inlet portion having an inlet diameter and an inlet length and an outlet portion having outlet diameter and an outlet length. The nozzle also includes an interface region between the inlet portion and the outlet portion having an interface diameter. A ratio of the inlet diameter to the inlet length is in a range of about 0.15 to 0.5.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.

Abstract: Building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules include photovoltaic inserts for producing electrical power and supporting structures for mechanically attaching and supporting the insert with respect to a building structure, such as roof tops. The supporting structures may include ventilation ribs that form ventilation channels under the photovoltaic insert and, in certain embodiments, under other components of the module. These ribs may be used to provide mechanical support to the entire module. In specific embodiments, ventilation channels of one module are configured to coincide with ventilation channels of one or more other like modules and to form a continuous channel along the roof edge. The supporting structures may be used to form moisture barriers in between two modules, such as side glitters. In certain embodiments, supporting structures are separate components and are attached to the insert to form a module during fabrication or installation of the module on a building structure.

Abstract: Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) assemblies and methods of installation thereof on building structures. The BIP assembly includes a base sheet or a sheath, which may be a plywood board or an oriented strand (OSB) board, and multiple electrically interconnected photovoltaic inserts, which are attached to and supported by the base sheet. The base sheet is configured to be positioned directly the building structures, such as roof rafters. Various electrical components may be positioned within cavities of the base sheet and/or at the back side of that sheet. Such components are configured to align in between the roof rafters during installation. The spacing between the rafters provides access to the components and allows the components to extend away from the base sheet and into the spacing. Various electrical components may be installed and removed from the BIP assembly during its fabrication and/or installation.

Abstract: Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules that are mechanically and electrically interconnectable. According to various embodiments, the modules include channels and protrusion members. A channel of one module snugly fits over a protrusion member of an adjacent module to provide a moisture seal and, in certain embodiments, to collect water in between two modules and direct it downward. In certain embodiments, a channel is configured to interlock with a protrusion member in one or more directions. The channel is positioned along one edge of the module, while the protrusion member is positioned along the opposite edge, so that BIP modules can form a continuous interconnected row. The channel and protrusion member include electrical connectors having conductive elements. Inserting a protrusion member into a channel and, in certain embodiments, sliding one with respect to another also electrically interconnects the conductive elements.

Abstract: A method of making a sputtering target includes providing a backing structure, and forming a copper indium gallium sputtering target material on the backing structure by cold spraying. The step of cold spraying includes spraying a powder comprising copper, indium and gallium in a process gas stream, and at least one of an average particle size of the powder is at least 35 ?m, a velocity of the process gas stream is at least 150 m/s, or a process gas pressure is 20 bar or less.

Abstract: A method for testing a conductive web includes moving a conductive web past at least one electrostatic probe, providing an alternating current or voltage which generates an alternating current to the at least one electrostatic probe, measuring a current or voltage in the at least one electrostatic probe induced by a capacitance between the conductive web and the at least one electrostatic probe, comparing the measured current or voltage to a reference value, and determining a level of bagginess of the conductive web based on the step of comparing.

Abstract: A method including directing a first radiation at a first copper-indium-gallium (CIG) sputtering target in a reactive copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) sputtering process, detecting a first reflected radiation from the first CIG target and determining the amount of selenium poisoning of the first CIG target based on the first reflected radiation.

Abstract: A method of making a sputtering target includes providing a backing structure, and forming a copper indium gallium sputtering target material on the backing structure by spray forming.

Abstract: A method of making a sputtering target includes providing a backing structure, and forming a copper indium gallium sputtering target material on the backing structure by cold spraying. The step of cold spraying includes spraying a powder comprising copper, indium and gallium in a process gas stream, and at least one of an average particle size of the powder is at least 35 ?m, a velocity of the process gas stream is at least 150 m/s, or a process gas pressure is 20 bar or less.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module has a plurality of photovoltaic cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, a collector-connector configured to collect a current from the first photovoltaic cell and electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell and at least one diode configured to bypass at least one of the photovoltaic cells. Another photovoltaic module has a plurality of cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, such that the first photovoltaic cell contains an active portion and a shaded portion, that is configured as a diode bypassing the second photovoltaic cell. Methods of making photovoltaic modules that incorporate bypass diodes are also provided.

Abstract: A method for removing a sheet of paper from a substrate includes providing an air exhaust stream from an outlet of an air amplifier to the sheet of paper on the substrate to perturb the sheet of paper and lifting the perturbed sheet of paper from the substrate using a sub-atmospheric intake of the air amplifier.