Experiments to evaluate high-temperature rolling as a low-cost process for silicon solar cellsMechanical rolling (a process used in industry for producing large quantities of metallic sheet and strip) has been suggested for the rapid low-cost manufacture of silicon sheet to be used for photovoltaic power generation equipment, such as solar arrays. The advantages of rolling include: high rates of production, wide sheets as products, good control of dimension, and (in the case of solar grade silicon) minimal development of impurities. Experiments have been performed using high-temperature, high-speed compression of polycrystalline silicon cylinders. Metallography and X-ray diffraction techniques have been used to examine the samples both before and after compression, and a model process has been designed to evaluate the technical practicality and economic feasibility of the method.
Document ID
19780027019
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Noel, G. T.
Kulkarni, S.
Wolf, M.
Pope, D. P.
Graham, C. D., Jr. (Pennsylvania, University Philadelphia, Pa., United States)