The Chronar Corporation originally developed a batch plasma
deposition process for making amorphous silicon substrates.
After Chronar filed bankruptcy in 1990, the principal investor formed
Advanced Photovoltaic Systems, Inc. (APS) and continued development of
the a-Si deposition process at a Trenton NJ pilot plant. APS
eventually transferred the technology and equipment to a special
purpose plant in Fairfield, CA in 1992-93 and operated it in limited
production until bankruptcy again intervened. Factory assets were
eventually purchased by BP Solar.
(The above information is from a NREL report
done for the U.S. Department of Energy.)
The back side of the panels have metal conductors deposited on them,
and most of my panels have a clear protective coating sealing them.
To expose the conductive surface I use lacquer thinner and a Q tip to
dissolve and remove the clear protective coating. Than I can use an
alligator clip or some other spring loaded clip to make electrical
contact with the panel.
I characterized the panels with a variable load circuit I threw together before making my solar shunt project
The panels put out about 10 volts with no load in full sun light and maximum power occurs at between 6 and 7 volts.