Abstract: A photovoltaic module (10) with a plurality of solar cells (20) interconnected in serial and/or parallel arrangement within the module (10) is equipped with an overheat protection system (30) for suppressing damages of the photovoltaic module (10) due to defects of the solar cells (20). The overheat protection system (30) comprises a heat sensor (32) which is thermally coupled to a solar cell (20). The heat sensor (32) is physically integrated into an electrical switch (34, 36, 38) which is electrically connected to said solar cell (20).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film panels comprises providing a laser patterning system, depositing a base layer on a glass substrate, separating the base layer by scribing a plurality of separation lines corresponding with a predefined scribe pattern, depositing a functional layer on the base layer, determining a first base layer separation edge, moving the translation stage by a first distance, activating the laser array and moving the translation stage by a second distance, deactivating the laser array, determining subsequent separation edges of the base layer and scribing lines therein, depositing a top layer on the functional layer, determining a first functional layer separation edge, operating the stepper motor to move the translation stage by a third distance, activating the laser array and moving the translation stage by a fourth distance, deactivating the laser array, and determining subsequent separation edges of the functional layer and scribing lines therein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a first dopant to a first surface, applying a second dopant to a second surface, covering the doped first surface with a hard mask, applying a third dopant to the substrate side, removing the hard mask, applying a pattern of first electrical contacts to the doping pattern, and applying a pattern of second electrical contacts to the doped second surface, the pattern of second electrical contacts and the doping pattern being straight-lined opposed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module (10) with a plurality of solar cells (20) interconnected in serial and/or parallel arrangement within the module (10) is equipped with an overheat protection system (30) for suppressing damages of the photovoltaic module (10) due to defects of the solar cells (20). The overheat protection system (30) comprises a heat sensor (32) which is thermally coupled to a solar cell (20). The heat sensor (32) is physically integrated into an electrical switch (34, 36, 38) which is electrically connected to said solar cell (20).

Abstract: An electrical power management apparatus and method in which a public power grid, a renewable energy source, an energy storage element and a domestic power supply network are interconnected through a controllable switch which connects the various components together in combinations which are advantageous to sensed power load and consumption circumstances.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells, a controllable infrared protection layer, and a protection switching means. The controllable infrared protection layer is for reducing the infrared radiation absorbed by the photovoltaic module, where the controllable infrared protection layer has a first state and a second state. When the infrared protection layer is in the first state the transmission of infrared radiation to the photovoltaic cells is higher than when the infrared protection layer is in the second state. The protection switching means is for switching the controllable infrared protection layer between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for restoring efficiency of a photovoltaic cell. An illumination module illuminates photovoltaic cells so the cells receive a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 5 hours of solar illumination. After illumination, an annealing module anneals the photovoltaic cells at a temperature above 90 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 10 minutes. In one embodiment, the illumination module illuminates the photovoltaic cells for a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 20 hours of solar illumination. In another embodiment, the illumination module illuminates the photovoltaic cells for a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 16 hours of solar illumination while being heated to at least 50 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, a solar concentrator irradiates the photovoltaic cells in sunlight for at least 10 hours and increases the irradiance of solar illumination on the cells by a factor of 2 to 5.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module and a method of manufacturing such a module in which metal is deposited in a pattern on the front side of a semiconductor wafer which acts as an electrode. Photovoltaic cells manufactured using a semiconductor wafer typically have a P type semiconductor region and an N type semiconductor region. The metal on the front side of each of the photovoltaic cells forms an electrical connection to the doped layer of the semiconductor wafer on its front side.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a product from ultra thin layers of a base material are disclosed. Some embodiments provide a process that allows one to structure a silicon base material, like the ingot, and to transfer this structure into a respective silicon process step. Some embodiments provide a process that allows one to structure any complex structured layer stacks, where the layers can be applied on top of each other using, e.g., bonding technology.

Abstract: A joint arrangement for connecting a drawbar to a carriage includes a push/pull device for the transmission of pushing and pulling forces arranged at the carriage end of the drawbar. The push/pull device comprises a mid-piece connected to the carriage side end of the drawbar, extending the drawbar in the longitudinal direction thereof which extends through an opening provided in the baseplate. A front spring plate and a rear spring plate are provided on the mid-piece with a front spring element between the front spring plate and the baseplate in the drawbar longitudinal direction and a corresponding rear spring element is provided between the baseplate and the rear spring plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a first dopant to a first surface, applying a second dopant to a second surface, covering the doped first surface with a hard mask, applying a third dopant to the substrate side, removing the hard mask, applying a pattern of first electrical contacts to the doping pattern, and applying a pattern of second electrical contacts to the doped second surface, the pattern of second electrical contacts and the doping pattern being straight-lined opposed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film panels comprises providing a laser patterning system, depositing a base layer on a glass substrate, separating the base layer by scribing a plurality of separation lines corresponding with a predefined scribe pattern, depositing a functional layer on the base layer, determining a first base layer separation edge, moving the translation stage by a first distance, activating the laser array and moving the translation stage by a second distance, deactivating the laser array, determining subsequent separation edges of the base layer and scribing lines therein, depositing a top layer on the functional layer, determining a first functional layer separation edge, operating the stepper motor to move the translation stage by a third distance, activating the laser array and moving the translation stage by a fourth distance, deactivating the laser array, and determining subsequent separation edges of the functional layer and scribing lines therein.

Abstract: A method of backside contacting of thin layer photovoltaic cells having Si elements as well as thin film cells, like CIGS, is provided, including the following steps: providing a p-n-junction including a thin n-doped Si layer and a thin p-doped Si layer bonded on top of said n-doped Si layer; bonding said p-n-junction to a glass substrate; preparing contact points on said structured thin p-doped Si layer and said thin n-doped Si layer; and creating contact pins on said structured thin p-doped Si layer and said thin n-doped Si layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a product from ultra thin layers of a base material are disclosed. Some embodiments provide a process that allows one to structure a silicon base material, like the ingot, and to transfer this structure into a respective silicon process step. Some embodiments provide a process that allows one to structure any complex structured layer stacks, where the layers can be applied on top of each other using, e.g., bonding technology.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of solar panels from scrapped wafers and/or scrapped dies is provided, including the following steps: identifying scrap wafers and/or scrap dies; cleaning and removing remaining structures from the surface of the wafers/dies; grinding both surfaces of the wafers/dies down to a required thickness; doping the wafers/dies; and further processing the wafers/dies using a solar panel manufacturing method.

Abstract: A computerized method of evaluating a questionnaire comprising a set of questions of a category, wherein the method comprises the step of requesting a response for each question of the set of questions from an auditee, wherein each response is given in form of a quantitative value. The method further comprises the steps of determining an auditee specific statistics value from each quantitative value of each response given by the auditee and of requesting a response for each question of the set of questions from at least one auditor, wherein each response is given by the at least one auditor in form of the quantitative value, and wherein to each auditor an auditor weight factor is assigned which is specific for the auditor and for the category. For each auditor an auditor specific statistics value is determined from each quantitative value of each response given by the auditor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of structuring of a substrate by providing a polymerization starter layer on the substrate, applying a radiation field on the polymerization starter layer for selectively reducing a density of polymerization starters of the polymerization starter layer, applying monomers and then polymerizing of the monomers, the polymerization being initiated by the starters of the polymerization starter layer, and structuring the substrate using the polymerized monomers as a mask.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device makes use of an “anchored” conductive stud which is securely attached within its surrounding insulator materials. The conductive stud is formed over a conductive layer which is coupled to or part of a read or a write head element of the magnetic recording device. The conductive stud has a top stud portion and a bottom undercut portion formed over the conductive layer. In one illustrated embodiment, the bottom undercut portion has a width that is greater than the width of the top stud portion. Since an insulator is formed around the conductive stud and over its bottom undercut portion, a secure coupling between the conductive stud and the conductive layer is provided. Preferably, the conductive layer is made of copper (Cu), the conductive stud is made of gold (Au), and the insulator is alumina (Al2O3). A seed layer may be formed between the conductive stud and the conductive layer. A method of making the conductive stud using a photolithography process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system handling fully automated supplier quality control and enabling quality improvement by using supplier raw data as well as manufacturer manufacturing in-line data is described. The system not only maintains fully automated data transfers and handling, but also enables immediate automated reporting for both the manufacturer and the supplier. Based on this automated notification, communication between sides is thus introduced. The system also enables the transfer from reactive into preventive working mode, concerning supplier quality, giving advantages like early warning, fast feedback. Beyond the so-called automated quality control features, the system supports quality improvement enabling advanced analysis features like yield prediction, specification validation, best of breed analysis, and the like. These capabilities include a close feedback control loop with an adaptation feature to correct the prediction in case of a deviation and/or trend.

Abstract: Method for the Manufacture of Micro Structures A method for the manufacture of micro structures in substrates is provided. The method uses a combination of photolithographic mask technology and micro contact printing.