Pareto analysis of critical challenges for emerging manufacturing technologies in silicon photovoltaics

    Authors

    K. O. Davis; R. P. Brooker; H. P. Seigneur; M. Rodgers; A. C. Rudack;W. V. Schoenfeld

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Sol. Energy

    Keywords

    Photovoltaics; Silicon; Pareto; Manufacturing; SI SOLAR-CELLS; SURFACE PASSIVATION; POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON; ANTIREFLECTION COATINGS; MECHANICAL STRENGTH; ALUMINUM-OXIDE; WAFERS; EFFICIENCY; CRACK; SEMICONDUCTORS; Energy & Fuels

    Abstract

    This work presents the results of a Pareto analysis of critical challenges for emerging manufacturing technologies in c-Si photovoltaics. By soliciting input from members of the PV R&D community, these challenges have been prioritized for six different sub-categories, the first three associated with Processing Challenges and the following three in the area of Metrology Challenges: (1) Feedstock, Crystallization and Wafering; (2) Cell Materials and Processing; (3) Module Integration; (4) Materials and Device Characterization; (5) Reliability and Durability (Measurements); and (6) Modeling and Simulation. Some sub-categories feature a large differential in scoring from the top challenge(s) to lower scored challenges (e.g. Module Integration, Modeling and Simulation), indicating topics of high interest. Other sub-categories feature a more evenly distributed level of prioritization (e.g. Cell Materials and Processing), indicating many high priority challenges within the same area. In total, 14 top critical challenges were identified for the six sub-categories, and a brief review for each of these is provided. As industry and academia seek R&D topics to help push for higher efficiencies and lower cost c-Si modules, this Pareto analysis can hopefully provide some objective insight into areas of high interest for the general PV community. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Solar Energy

    Volume

    107

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    681

    Last Page

    691

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000340304600062

    ISSN

    0038-092X

    Share

    COinS