Title
First experiments on module assembly line using back-contact solar cells
Author
Späth, M.
de Jong, P.C.
Bennett, I.J.
Bakker, J.
Visser, T.P.
Verschoor, A.J.
Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland
Publication year
2008
Abstract
There is a great need for cost-effective high-throughput equipment to assemble thin and high-efficiency solar cells into modules. Single-step assembly using back-contact cells (monolithic module assembly) provides substantial advantages in terms of performance and costs. Progress towards development of a commercial module and assembly process using back-contact cells and monolithic module assembly is described. A fully operational pilot line consisting of dedicated equipment to process back-contact cell modules with the focus on the production of 4 x 9 and up to 6 x 10 cells configuration was build by TTA/Eurotron and ECN. The emphasis is on the production of modules with ultra-thin back-contact cells of mc-Si (156 x 156 mm2) and only 130 ?ѭ in thickness. The design of the equipment is targeting for a throughput rate of 1 cell per second, or equivalently a module production capacity of 100 MWp per year. Processing of the first set of modules shows good results in terms of process reliability and yield. The overall yield for the first series of 23 modules (4 x 9 configuration) built with ECN-MWT cells was 100% while 9 of the 23 modules had a fill factor better than 74%. In addition, a series of 25 modules (6 x 10 configuration) with industrial back-contact cells was built and revealed excellent reproducibility. A standard deviation of the FF of only (s) 1.44 was observed.
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TNO identifier
821561
Report number
ECN-M--08-015
Publisher
ECN, Petten
Source
23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Valencia, Spain, 1-5 september 2008.
Document type
conference paper