Progress in Solarex's crystalline silicon PVMaT program

The objectives of this NREL sponsored photovoltaic manufacturing technology program (PVMaT) are to advance Solarex's cast polycrystalline silicon manufacturing technology, reduce production cost, increase module performance and expand production capacity. To meet these objectives Solarex has: (1) modified the casting process and equipment to grow larger ingots; (2) developed and installed wire saws to cut thinner wafers at lower cost; (3) increased cell efficiencies; (4) improved the automation of module assembly; and (5) developed frameless module mounting systems with low cost module electrical interconnection. This paper presents the progress made during this three year program.