Method and apparatus providing single step vapor chloride treatment and photovoltaic modules

a technology of vapor chloride treatment and photovoltaic modules, which is applied in the field of manufacturing of photovoltaic modules, can solve the problems of long processing time and lack of humidity control

Inactive Publication Date: 2016-07-07
FIRST SOLAR INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces processing time, enhances control over the treatment parameters, and improves the crystalline quality and efficiency of photovoltaic devices by directly applying cadmium chloride vapors during optimal annealing temperatures, eliminating the need for separate stations and improving moisture control.

Problems solved by technology

However, the various known multi-step methods include several drawbacks including a lack of control over humidity, which could facilitate formation of cadmium telluride-chlorates, and longer processing times due to the multi-step process.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus providing single step vapor chloride treatment and photovoltaic modules
  • Method and apparatus providing single step vapor chloride treatment and photovoltaic modules
  • Method and apparatus providing single step vapor chloride treatment and photovoltaic modules

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Embodiment Construction

[0010]A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device may include introducing cadmium chloride vapors to an oven to deposit cadmium chloride on a cadmium telluride layer while maintaining the oven at a temperature suitable for simultaneously heat-treating the deposited cadmium chloride. In one disclosed embodiment, application of the cadmium chloride and heat treatment are combined into a single step on moving plates.

[0011]As shown in FIG. 1, a photovoltaic device 100 can include a transparent conductive oxide stack 170 adjacent to a substrate 110 and layers of semiconductor material 180.

[0012]The substrate layer 110 can be the outermost layer of the device 100 and, in use, may be exposed to a variety of temperatures and forms of precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail. The substrate layer 110 may also be the first layer that incident light encounters upon reaching the device 100. It is therefore desirable to select a material for the substrate layer 110 that is both dura...

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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.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 678,800, filed Nov. 16, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 561,375 filed on Nov. 18, 2011, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of photovoltaic modules, and more particularly to methods of performing cadmium chloride treatment of photovoltaic modules including cadmium telluride.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Photovoltaic devices can include semiconductor material deposited over a substrate, for example, with a first layer serving as a window layer and a second layer serving as an absorber layer. The semiconductor window layer can allow the penetration of solar radiation to the absorber layer, such as a cadmium telluride layer, which converts solar energy to electricity. Photovoltaic devices can also cont...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01L31/18B05B13/02H01L21/67H01L31/073H01L21/677
CPCH01L31/1828H01L31/073H01L31/1864B05B13/0221H01L21/67109H01L21/67201H01L21/67706H01L21/02562H01L21/02664Y02E10/543Y02P70/50C23C14/0629C23C14/24C23C14/56
InventorGUPTA, AKHLESHGLOECKLER, MARKUSPOWELL, RICK C.
OwnerFIRST SOLAR INC