Electrical bias methods and apparatus for photovoltaic device manufacture

Abstract

A apparatus and method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module includes components for heating the module and applying an electrical bias to the module to improve photovoltaic module performance and manufacture multiple photovoltaic modules with similar performance.

1 . An apparatus for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising:
 a heat source for heating a photovoltaic module;   a power source; and   a biasing tool connected to the power source for supplying an electrical bias to electrodes of the photovoltaic module while the photovoltaic module is heated by the heat source.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing tool and the power supply are configured to apply a bias to the electrodes of the photovoltaic module, wherein the bias can be a constant, varied, or pulsed current or voltage, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing tool is configured to supply the electrical bias when the photovoltaic module is at a temperature of about 85° C. to about 160° C. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing tool is configured to supply the electrical bias when the photovoltaic module is at a temperature of about 110° C. to about 160° C. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is a designated heat source which is associated with the biasing tool. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the power source is controlled based on the temperature of the photovoltaic module detected by the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source for illuminating a light receiving side of the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the light source illuminates the photovoltaic module with a light having an intensity between 0.1 kW/m 2  and 10 kW/m 2 . 
     
     
         10 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising:
 a heat source for heating a photovoltaic module;   a power source;   a biasing tool connected to the power source for applying an electrical bias to electrodes of the photovoltaic module while the photovoltaic module is heated by the heat source; and   a light source for illuminating a light receiving side of the photovoltaic module while the electrical bias is applied.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the electrical bias is selected based on at least one determined performance characteristic of the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one determined performance characteristic of the photovoltaic module is short circuit current. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a testing tool, the testing tool comprising a test circuit connected to test electrodes for connecting with electrodes of the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a test circuit connected to the biasing tool. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the biasing tool and the power supply are configured to apply a bias to the electrodes of the photovoltaic module, wherein the bias can be a constant, varied, or pulsed current or voltage, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the biasing tool is configured to supply the electrical bias when the photovoltaic module is at a temperature of about 85° C. to about 160° C. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising:
 a heat source for heating a photovoltaic module;   a power source; and   a biasing tool connected to the power source for applying an electrical bias to electrodes of the photovoltaic module while the photovoltaic module is heated by the heat source,   wherein the electrical bias is selected based on at least one determined performance characteristic of the photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a testing tool configured to test the at least one determined performance characteristic, the testing tool comprising a test circuit connected to test electrodes for connecting with electrodes of the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a test circuit connected to the biasing tool. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the biasing tool is configured to test the at least one determined performance characteristic.