The DOE Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Project has conducted cost-shared manufacturing RBD with thephotovoltaicindustryforover 10 years. During this time, research has focused on the project's stated objectives of improving photovoltaic manufacturing processes and products, lowering manufacturing costs, and providing a foundation for the scale-up of U.S. photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. Progress made by each of the US. PV industry participants in this project has resulted in a significant reduction in the industry's direct PV module manufacturingcosts and an impresske scale-up in U S . PV manufacturing capacity. The majority of the efforts have been module related. Results in terms of automation, yield, and throughput have provided a significant reduction in direct manufacturing costs. Cost reductions and capacity increases resulting from these efforts are discussed.

The Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology Project has been conducting cost-shared R&D with industry for ten years. Objectives of this project are to improve photovoltaic manufacturing processes and products and to lower manufacturing costs. The majority of the efforts have been module related. Results in terms of automation, yield, and throughput have provided a significant reduction in direct manufacturing costs. Some of these results are detailed, and a measure of the return due to these efforts is discussed. Finally, technical directions for future activities are identified.

The Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Project was initiated in 1990 to help the U.S. photovoltaic (PV) industry extend its world leadership role in manufacturing and commercially developing PV modules and systems. It is being conducted in several phases, staggered to support industry progress. The four most recently awarded subcontracts (Phase 2B) are now completing their first year of research. They include two subcontracts in CdTe, one on Spheral Solarm Cells, and one on cast polysilicon. These subcontracts represent new technology additions to the PVMaT Project. Subcontracts initiated in earlier phases are nearing completion, and their progress is summarized. An additional phase of PVMaT, Phase 4A, is being initiated which will emphasize productdriven manufacturing research and development. The intention of Phase 4A is to emphasize improvement and cost reduction in the manufacture of full-system PV products. The work areas may include, but not limited to, issues such as improvement of module manufacturing processes; system and system component packaging, integration, manufacturing, and assembly; product manufacturing flexibility; and balance-of-system development with the goal of product manufacturing improvements .

The Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (FVMaT) project is a governmenthidustry photovoltaic manufacturing R&D project composed of partnerships between the federal government (through the U.S. Department of Energy) and members of the U.S. PV industry. It is designed to assist the U.S. PV industry in improving manufacturing processes, accelerating manufacturing cost reductions for PV modules, increasing commercial product performance, and generally laying the groundwork for a substantial scaleup of US.-based PV manufacturing plant capabilities.The project is being carried out in three separate phases, each focused on a specific approach to solving the problems identified by the industrial participants. These participants are selected through competitive procurements. Furthermore, the PVMaT project has been specifically structured to ensure that these PV manufacturing R&D subcontract awards are selected with no intention of either directing funding toward specific PV technologies (e.g., amorphous silicon, polycrystalline thin films,

The U.S. Photovoltaic (PV) industry has made significant technical advances in crystalline silicon (Si) module manufacturing through the PV Manufacturing R&D Project during the past decade. Funded Si technologies in this project have been czochralski, cast polycrystalline, edge-defined film fed growth (EFG) ribbon, string ribbon, and Si-film. Specific R&D Si module-manufacturing categories that have shown technical growth and will be discussed are in crystal growth and processing, wafering, cell fabrication, and module manufacturing. These R&D advancements since 1992 have contributed to a 30% decrease in PV manufacturing costs and stimulated a sevenfold increase in PV production capacity.