Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a crystalline cadmium stannate layer of a photovoltaic device by heating an amorphous layer in the presence of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device may include concurrently transforming a transparent conductive oxide layer from a substantially amorphous state to a substantially crystalline state and forming one or more semiconductor layers.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of using the buffer layer of a transparent conductive substrate as a dopant source for the n-type window layer of a photovoltaic device. The dopant source of the buffer layer distributes to the window layer of the photovoltaic device during semiconductor processing. Described herein are also methods of manufacturing embodiments of the substrate structure and photovoltaic device. Disclosed embodiments also describe a photovoltaic module and a photovoltaic structure with a plurality of photovoltaic devices having an embodiment of the substrate structure.

Abstract: A method for producing, apparatus for producing and photovoltaic device including semiconductor layers with halide heat treated surfaces that increase grain growth within at least one of the semiconductor layers and improve the interface between the semiconductor layers. The halide heat treatment includes applying and heating multiple coatings of a halide compound on surfaces adjacent to or part of the semiconductor layers.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of using the buffer layer of a transparent conductive substrate as a dopant source for the n-type window layer of a photovoltaic device. The dopant source of the buffer layer distributes to the window layer of the photovoltaic device during semiconductor processing. Described herein are also methods of manufacturing embodiments of the substrate structure and photovoltaic device. Disclosed embodiments also describe a photovoltaic module and a photovoltaic structure with a plurality of photovoltaic devices having an embodiment of the substrate structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing and/or conditioning photovoltaic modules. The apparatus includes a set of contacts for contacting electrical conductors of the module and a testing and/or conditioning system for testing and/or conditioning of the module and measuring parameters associated therewith.

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.

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.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and at least one Se-containing layer, such as a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing the photovoltaic device includes forming the CdSeTe layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process, and vapor transport deposition process. The process can also include controlling a thickness range of the Se-containing layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and at least one Se-containing layer, such as a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing the photovoltaic device includes forming the CdSeTe layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process, and vapor transport deposition process. The process can also include controlling a thickness range of the Se-containing layer.

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.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a crystalline cadmium stannate layer of a photovoltaic device by heating an amorphous layer in the presence of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A method of doping solar cell front contact can improve the efficiency of CdTe-based or other kinds of solar cells.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for a photovoltaic device and substrate structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a CdTe absorber layer, the substrate structure including a Zn1-xMgxO window layer and a low conductivity buffer layer. Another embodiment is directed to a process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device including forming a Zn1-xMgxO window layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process and vapor transport deposition process. The process including forming a CdTe absorber layer above the Zn1-xMgxO window layer.

Abstract: A method of doping solar cell front contact can improve the efficiency of CdTe-based or other kinds of solar cells.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for a photovoltaic device and substrate structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a CdTe absorber layer, the substrate structure including a Zn1-xMgxO window layer and a low conductivity buffer layer. Another embodiment is directed to a process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device including forming a Zn1-xMgxO window layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process and vapor transport deposition process. The process including forming a CdTe absorber layer above the Zn1-xMgxO window layer.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module includes components for heating the module and applying an electrical bias to the module to improve photovoltaic module performance and manufacture multiple photovoltaic modules with similar performance.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module includes components for heating the module and applying an electrical bias to the module to improve photovoltaic module performance and manufacture multiple photovoltaic modules with similar performance.