Automated Array Assembly Task, Phase I. Quarterly report No. 1

Work during this quarter consisted primarily of preparing base line cost estimates for current solar cell processing technologies; preparing an initial design-to-cost goal breakdown; designing and beginning construction of an experimental solar cell module; and initiating the various activities that make up this task. The base line cost estimates show that current solar cell fabrication technology is about an order of magnitude too expensive as compared to the design-to-cost goals. In the area of solar cell fabrication, metallization is shown to be the least cost-effective process element. The design-to-cost concept is used to measure the overall effectiveness of low-cost silicon solar cell module improvements. The design-to-cost goal is $500 per peak kilowatt in 1985 with an annual production output of 500 megawatts peak power. The key to the Low-Cost Silicon Solar Array Project is the ability to meet this integrated cost goal. The Automated Array Assembly Task is the obvious focal point for assessing the overall success of the program.