Miasole

Beijing Apollo Ding Rong Solar Technology Co., Ltd.

Apollo Precision Fujian Limited

Novellus Systems Incorporated

Apollo Precision Kunming Yuanhong Limited

Kedar Hardikar

Todd Allen Krajewski

Roger Laurentius Balyon

Daniel R Juliano

Ashraf Khan

Abdelouahab Ziani

Yajie Liu

Viraj Pandit

Michael A Murray

Bao Nguyen

A photovoltaic module includes front and back sealing layers and at least one photovoltaic cell positioned located therebetween. A moisture resistant layer provided between the first and second sealing layers extends around a portion of a perimeter of the at least one photovoltaic cell. A moisture barrier structure including moisture barrier particles is operatively connected to the sealing layers. The moisture barrier structure improves the moisture resistance of the sealing layer and decreases the water vapor transmission rate into the photovoltaic module.

Photovoltaic module with improved moisture protection layer

Methods and apparatuses for cutting thin film solar cells are provided. According to various implementations, the methods involve cutting a substrate having thin film solar cell materials deposited thereon by inducing a tear along the cutting line. Simultaneously with the tearing, the torn edges may be plastically deformed to produce a desired torn edge cross-sectional profile. Such a fracture may be induced by clamping regions of the substrate while simultaneously displacing the clamped regions relative to each other through the thickness of the substrate as the substrate is fed through the clamps providing the clamping. Apparatuses for cutting are also provided. According to various implementations, the apparatus may have cutter rollers and support rollers configured with an adjustable radial overlap.

Methods and apparatuses for cutting of thin film solar cells

Apparatus and techniques for mounting frameless photovoltaic modules reduce module stress induced by the mounting configuration. Mounting clamps and rail/clamp spacing configured to relieve module stress by reducing or eliminating module sag are used.

Photovoltaic module support clamp assembly

Apparatus and techniques for mounting frameless photovoltaic modules reduce module stress induced by the mounting configuration. Cable clamps and cable spacing configured to relieve module stress by reducing or eliminating module sag are used.

Photovoltaic module support with cable clamps

A method and apparatus for forming a sputtering target are provided that includes a copper indium gallium sputtering target material on a backing structure. The sputtering target is formed by compressing pre-alloyed and atomized powders of Cu, In, and Ga at pressures below 35,000 psi. In some embodiments the sputtering target material contains Na, S, or Se. In other embodiments the sputtering target is formed by isothermal compression.

Apparatus and method of forming a sputtering target

A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell, a flexible glass layer formed over the at least one photovoltaic cell, and a transparent planarizing hardcoat formed on the glass layer. The planarizing hardcoat may be in compressive stress and the glass layer may be in tension.

Protective layers for a glass barrier in a photovoltaic device

A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell, a flexible glass layer formed over the at least one photovoltaic cell and a transparent and abrasion resistant film which includes an organic-inorganic hybrid material formed over the glass layer.

Multilayer articles such as thin-film solar cells can be effectively tested under thermal load in a mini-module that includes a chamber or enclosure in which one or more laminated multilayer articles are housed. The inner dimensions of the chamber, at least along the axis that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the laminated solar cells, are configured to remain substantially constant during testing. Cooling the laminated solar cells in the mini-module device causes the encapsulant material to shrink and thereby induces accelerated failures in the laminated solar cells and associated structures. A technique of detecting the presence of defects or failures is near infrared radiation thermography wherein NIR images of the laminated solar cells are taken during the cooling process. The color patterns manifested from the cooled laminated solar cells can reveal the location, nature and extent of the defect or failure.

Cold lift-off test for strength of film stack subjected to thermal loading

Process chamber shields having specially profiled edges exhibit increased lifetime in PVD and CVD deposition chambers. Edge profiling reduces flaking and delamination of materials deposited onto the shields, thereby prolonging shield life, and, consequently, reducing costs associated with deposition. In one embodiment, a shield having an edge portion terminating in a rounded tip, where the tip has high curvature and a small thickness, is provided. In another aspect, a shield having a concave portion connecting with an edge portion, where an upper (inner) surface of the edge portion forms a tangent plane to the upper (inner) concave surface of the concave surface, is provided. In yet another aspect, a shield with a tapered edge portion is provided. Shields, having profiled edges in accordance with these aspects and in accordance with combinations of these aspects, can better support deposited films, particularly films containing compressively stressed materials, such as metal nitrides.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Kedar Hardikar