Large-area Silicon-Film{trademark} panels and solar cells

This report describes AstroPower`s success in improving its material and processing capabilities during the first phase of this 3-year contract through the Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) program. Key results include the demonstration of a 14.6%-efficient Silicon-Film{trademark} solar cell. This laboratory result (1.0 cm{sup 2}) provides the direction needed to develop and optimize continuous, in-line production processes. The continuous nature of the Silicon-Film{trademark} sheet fabrication process is being extended into the solar-cell processing sequence. Plans are in place to make the wafer cleaning, gettering, and diffusion steps all continuous during the scope of this program