Massachusetts Solar Firm Gets Department of Energy Grant
Wednesday, July 21st 2010 10:37 PM
By GetSolar Staff.
Spire Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts announced Wednesday that it will receive a grant from the Department of Energy to develop a technology to improve the reliability and production yield of solar photovoltaic cells.
With conventional manufacturing methods, many photovoltaics contain "microcracks," which can spread rapidly and result in breakage and power loss during solar panel installation and assembly. In order to detect the cracks, Spire will use a photo-luminescent detection technique to screen for cracked cells in the production phase.
"We are pleased that the DOE is supporting our efforts to develop this critical capability," said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. "The early detection of microcracks in wafers and cells will reduce scrap, improve production yield and increase the lifetime of installed modules, thereby reducing total energy generation cost."
Spire says that its technology will then be integrated into crack detection test equipment, which can be installed in existing assembly lines.
With this DOE grant, Spire could greatly improve the efficacy of Massachusetts solar installations and those in and other locations, where harsh weather and dramatic temperature changes can damage the structural integrity of photovoltaic cells.
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Spire Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts announced Wednesday that it will receive a grant from the Department of Energy to develop a technology to improve the reliability and production yield of solar photovoltaic cells.
