Photovoltaic Device Temperature Control During Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin film photovoltaic devices exhibit changes in current-voltage behavior over time, leading to efficiency degradation, and existing methods for conditioning these devices during manufacturing are inadequate for achieving stable and improved long-term performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving the application of an external electrical bias and controlled temperature to thin film photovoltaic devices during the manufacturing process, specifically through a lamination process, to stabilize current-voltage behavior and enhance efficiency, which includes heating the devices to temperatures above 100°C and applying an electrical bias that can range from 0.1 to 5 times the short circuit current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing conditioning methods are used during manufacturing, then production time and cost are reduced, but long-term efficiency stability and performance improvement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a conditioning process during the manufacturing stage rather than after. The method involves heating the PV device to temperatures between 60°C and 150°C and applying an electrical bias (0.1 to 5 times the short circuit current) for a predetermined time period. This preliminary conditioning stabilizes the current-voltage behavior and improves long-term efficiency before the device enters service, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and production time extension.
2Stability of the object's composition
If higher temperatures and electrical bias are applied during conditioning, then current-voltage behavior stability improves, but energy consumption and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying temperature (60°C to 150°C), electrical bias magnitude (0.1 to 5 times short circuit current), and conditioning duration. These controlled parameter changes optimize the conditioning process to achieve stable current-voltage behavior while managing energy consumption. The method identifies optimal parameter ranges that balance stability improvement with reasonable energy input, resolving the contradiction between stability and energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in improved long-term efficiency of photovoltaic devices, with a potential 5-20% efficiency increase and reduced production costs and time, while ensuring consistent performance across different batches.
Implementation Method 1
heating the devices to temperatures above 100°C
Implementation Method 2
cooling the PV device from the elevated temperature
Implementation Method 3
a PV device that converts photo-radiation into electrical current
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for applying an electrical bias to a photovoltaic device in a temperature control chamber, in which the temperature of the photovoltaic device is controlled according to a temperature profile. The temperature profile may include at least one hot phase and at least one cool phase.