Abstract: A solar electric module having a layered construction including a light redirection layer and light transmitting materials that encapsulate the solar cells of the module. The solar electric module provides for weight mitigation and/or moisture control features. The weight mitigation feature provides for the use of weight mitigation layers to reduce the volume of glass in a transparent top cover, while providing an increased distance between the light redirection layer and the transparent top cover. The increased distance supports increased spacing between solar cells. The moisture control feature provides perforations in a metallic coating layer and/or light redirection layer to support migration of moisture into and out of the encapsulating layers. The light redirection layer can be an asymmetric redirection layer (for example, light scattering layer) or a symmetric redirection layer (for example, a diffractive optical element).

Abstract: Solar module manufacturing methods for manufacturing a light concentrating solar module including photovoltaic (PV) cells. The method includes applying an interconnect material to a flexible electrical backplane having preformed conductive interconnect circuitry to form interconnect attachments. The method aligns an array of back contact PV cells with the interconnect attachments. Conductive pathways are formed between the PV cells and the conductive interconnects of the flexible electrical backplane. The method includes providing a light concentrating layer between PV cells that are spaced apart. The method applies an encapsulant material to fill spaces formed between the PV cells and the flexible electrical backplane to form a solar cell subassembly, which is incorporated into the light concentrating solar module.

Abstract: Solar module manufacturing methods for manufacturing a solar electric module including photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying an interconnect material to a flexible electrical backplane having preformed conductive interconnect circuitry to form interconnect attachments. The method aligns an array of back contact PV cells with the interconnect attachments. Conductive pathways are formed between the PV cells and the conductive interconnects of the flexible electrical backplane. The method applies an encapsulant material to fill spaces formed between the PV cells and the flexible electrical backplane to form a solar cell subassembly, which is incorporated into a solar electric module.

Abstract: A solar electric module having a layered construction including a light reflecting layer and light transmitting materials that encapsulate the solar cells of the module. The solar electric module provides weight mitigation and/or moisture control features. The weight mitigation feature provides for weight mitigation layers of a polymer or other light transmitting material reducing the volume of glass in a transparent top cover, while providing an increased distance between the light reflecting layer and the transparent top cover. The increased distance supports increased spacing between solar cells. The moisture control feature provides perforations in a reflective coating and/or reflecting layer to support migration of moisture into and out of the encapsulating layers of light transmitting materials.

Abstract: A method of cutting thin bodies of silicon so as to minimize edge damage comprises traversing said bodies with the beam of a pulsed laser in a vacuum or in the presence of forming gas or a noble gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing hollow crystalline bodies by the EFG process, comprising an EFG die having a top surface shaped for growing a hollow crystalline body having a cross-sectional configuration in the shape of a polygon having n faces, and a radiation shield adjacent to and surrounded by the top end surface of the die, characterized in that the shield has an inner edge defining a similar polygon with n sides, and the inner edge of the shield is notched so that the spacing between the n faces and the n sides is greatest between the central portions of the n faces and the n sides, whereby the greater spacing at the central portions helps to reduce lateral temperature gradients in the crystalline body that is grown by use of the die.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using a gas mixture containing an additive gas capable of beneficially altering the physical or chemical properties of a crystallized body grown from a melt by means of a shaping member. A suitable mixture of an inert gas and the additive gas is directed substantially uniformly over the entire melt surface of the meniscus existing between the top of the shaping member and the liquid/solid growth interface at which the crystallized body is formed. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to the growing of silicon ribbons from graphite crucibles for use in the production of photovoltaic solar cells, as evidenced by a substantial increase in the average minority carrier diffusion length in the silicon ribbon grown when the gas additive is a source of oxygen.

Abstract: An asymmetrical shaped capillary die made exclusively of graphite is used to grow silicon ribbon which is capable of being made into solar cells that are more efficient than cells produced from ribbon made using a symmetrically shaped die.

Abstract: The invention pertains to growth of silicon bodies from a melt and comprises enveloping the liquid/solid interface with a mixture of an inert gas and more than a trace amount of a carbon-containing gas. The carbon-containing gas may be a compound of carbon and oxygen such as CO or CO.sub.2, and oxygen gas also may be introduced to the growth zone.

Abstract: An asymmetrical shaped capillary die made exclusively of graphite is used to grow silicon ribbon which is capable of being made into solar cells that are more efficient than cells produced from ribbon made using a symmetrically shaped die.