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Growth of silicon sheets for photovoltaic applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

R. O. Bell  and
J. P. Kalejs
R. O. Bell
Affiliation:
ASE Americas Inc., 4 Suburban Park Drive, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821
J. P. Kalejs
Affiliation:
ASE Americas Inc., 4 Suburban Park Drive, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821
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Abstract

Several techniques for the sheet growth of silicon for solar cell substrates are reviewed here. These techniques usually offer an economic advantage over growth in the form of bulk crystals. At least 16 different sheet growth systems have been proposed but only five, that are actively being pursued for commercialization, are discussed here. These include dendritic web, string ribbon, edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG), ribbon growth on a substrate (RGS), and Silicon-Film. The growth systems and the characteristics of the resulting solar cells are briefly described. A discussion of their current status concludes the review.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 13 , Issue 10 , October 1998 , pp. 2732 - 2739
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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