Abstract: A solar cell device with improved performance and a method of fabricating the same is described. The solar cell includes a back contact layer formed on a substrate, an absorber layer formed on the back contact layer, a buffer layer formed on the absorber layer, and a front contact layer formed by depositing a transparent conductive oxide layer on the buffer layer and annealing the deposited TCO layer.

Abstract: A solar cell device with improved performance and a method of fabricating the same is described. The solar cell includes a back contact layer formed on a substrate, an absorber layer formed on the back contact layer, a buffer layer formed on the absorber layer, and a front contact layer formed by depositing a transparent conductive oxide layer on the buffer layer and annealing the deposited TCO layer.

Abstract: An light apparatus used in forming a solar cell includes a housing separate from other processing in a deposition processing system, a transport mechanism for carrying a solar cell into the housing after deposition of a front contact layer in the deposition processing system, and one or more light source elements arranged to apply light on the solar cell after deposition of the front contact layer. A method of making a solar cell includes forming a back contact layer on a glass substrate, forming an absorber layer on the back contact layer, forming a buffer layer on the absorber layer, and forming a front contact layer above the buffer layer, the glass substrate, back contact layer, absorber layer, buffer layer, and front contact layer forming a first module. The method includes applying a light source to the first module after forming the front contact layer separate from other processing.

Abstract: An evaporation apparatus comprises a chamber configured to contain at least one dispensing nozzle and at least one substrate to be coated. The chamber has at least one adjustable shielding member defining an adjustable aperture. The member is positioned between the at least one dispensing nozzle and the at least one substrate. The aperture is adjustable in at least one of the group consisting of area and shape. The at least one adjustable shielding member has a heater.

Abstract: An evaporation apparatus comprises a chamber configured to contain at least one dispensing nozzle and at least one substrate to be coated. The chamber has at least one adjustable shielding member defining an adjustable aperture. The member is positioned between the at least one dispensing nozzle and the at least one substrate. The aperture is adjustable in at least one of the group consisting of area and shape. The at least one adjustable shielding member has a heater.

Abstract: A solar cell device with improved performance and a method of fabricating the same is described. The solar cell includes a back contact layer formed on a substrate, an absorber layer formed on the back contact layer, a buffer layer formed on the absorber layer, and a front contact layer formed by depositing a transparent conductive oxide layer on the buffer layer and annealing the deposited TCO layer.

Abstract: An light apparatus used in forming a solar cell includes a housing separate from other processing in a deposition processing system, a transport mechanism for carrying a solar cell into the housing after deposition of a front contact layer in the deposition processing system, and one or more light source elements arranged to apply light on the solar cell after deposition of the front contact layer. A method of making a solar cell includes forming a back contact layer on a glass substrate, forming an absorber layer on the back contact layer, forming a buffer layer on the absorber layer, and forming a front contact layer above the buffer layer, the glass substrate, back contact layer, absorber layer, buffer layer, and front contact layer forming a first module. The method includes applying a light source to the first module after forming the front contact layer separate from other processing.

Abstract: A method generally comprises providing heat to a substrate in at least one buffer chamber and transferring the substrate to at least one deposition chamber that is coupled to the buffer chamber via an conveyor. The method also includes depositing a first set of a plurality of elements, using sputtering, and a second set of a plurality of elements, using evaporation, onto at least a portion of the substrate in the deposition chamber.