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Solar silicon via the Dow Corning processTechnical feasibility for high volume production of solar cell-grade silicon is investigated. The process consists of producing silicon from pure raw materials via the carbothermic reduction of quartz. This silicon was then purified to solar grade by impurity segregation during Czochralski crystal growth. Commercially available raw materials were used to produce 100 kg quantities of silicon during 60 hour periods in a direct arc reactor. This silicon produced single crystalline ingot, during a second Czochralski pull, that was fabricated into solar cells having efficiencies ranging from 8.2 percent to greater than 14 percent. An energy analysis of the entire process indicated a 5 month payback time.
Document ID
19810004040
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Hunt, L. P. (Dow Corning Corp. Midland, MI, United States)
Dosaj, V. D. (Dow Corning Corp. Midland, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1979
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
DOE/JPL-954559-78/7
NASA-CR-163798
JPL-9950-452
Accession Number
81N12551
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-954559
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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