Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology - Phase I, Final Subcontract Report, 9 January 1991 - 14 April 1991

This report describes the Glasstech Solar design concepts for improved thin-film module production, including three process steps: (1) The front-end step includes washing, transparent conductive oxide (TCO) deposition, and patterning. (2) The P-I-N-M step is that in which the photovoltaic cell structure is deposited, including the back contact, without breaking vacuum. (3) The back end stepincludes masking, etching, washing, subcell testing and repair, interconnection, and encapsulation. The design is flexible and can be configured to a variety of applications. The front and back sections (steps 1 and 3) include a number of rotate modules and spacer conveyors. These modules and conveyors enable the line to hold and release glass panels according to the requirements of the processstations. 2 refs., 13 figs.