Talk:PV Production Line
Does this all need tobe done in a cleanroom enviroment or no?
--Eric (talk) 19:08, 14 March 2018 (UTC)
I investigated a community PV Production line in 2009...I will try and dig out my notes.
Cells are very hard to manufacture and require a very clean environment. A glove box could work.
Laminating and framing the solar panels is a much better proposition.
Solar cell seconds can be sourced, and soldered back together.
My concept was to create a conveyor belt oven similar to a pizza oven. The heat cures the laminate and evenly distributes heat stress from the solder contacts on the fragile solar cells. A reflow solder oven seemed like the next investigation.
The panels would be prepared for the oven in sealed vacuum bags; similar to carbon fiber lay-ups.
The panels (at the most basic) are constructed from cells, solder tab wire, and a clear laminate such as Sylgard 184.
I bought a bunch of toaster and removed the mica boards with restive heat elements and a wire chain conveyor to create the oven for a small proof of concept...which I still have.
The panels would be framed in aluminum or wood later...and tested with an artificial sun light table.
De-lamination is a major issue so there would have to be multiple attempts made to find the correct process.
Cleanliness is critical, but a modified shipping container would provide a good boundary layer with the outside world.
GeneralDesign (talk) 04:33, 15 March 2018 (CET)
Sounds Good! A while ago i was looking into a diy laminar flow hood for some cell culture stuff and they aren't too dificult to make. I have also seen gloveboxes made out of rubbermade bins so that is an even simpler option.
Along the lines of something a bit larger I was making this page, Open Source Cleanroom Construction Set. It doesn't have much now, as it is mainly organizational, but it may be of use.