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.

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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.

In 1991, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories embarked on a research partnership with the US. photovoltaic (PV) industry by cost-sharing industry-based RBD efforts. The PV Manufacturing R&D (PVMR80) Project, an extension of the earlier PV Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Project. aims at streamlining and improving the current W manufacturing technology to enable US. manufacturers to compete in the global marketplace. Currently, PVMR&D has ten active subcontracts with manufacturers working in several facets of the U.S. PV industry; four subcontracts were completed within the past year.