this program was conducted to develop and demonstrate those solar cells and module process steps which have the technological readiness or capability to achieve the 1986 lsa goals. results are reported seventeen process groups were investigated. very promising results were achieved. a laserscribe computer program was developed. it demonstrated that silicon solar cells could be trimmed and holed by laser without causing mechanical defects (i.e., microcracks) nor any major degradation in solar cell electrical performance. the silicon wafer surface preparation task demonstrated a low-cost, high throughput texturizing process readily adaptable to automation performance verification tests of a laser scanning system showed a limited capability to detect hidden cracks or defects in solar cells a general review of currently available thick film printing equipment provided the indication that state-of-the-art technology can adequately transform the capability of current printing machines to the elevated rate of 7200 wafers per hour. the lfe system 8000 silicon nitride plasma deposition system with the inclusion of minor equipment modifications was shown to be consistent with the 1986 lsa pricing goals. the performance verification test of the silicon nitride a.r. coating process provided the result that texturized, a.r. coated solar cells display a 14.1 improvement in electrical performance over identical solar cells without an a.r. coating. a new electroless nickel plating system was installed and demonstrated a low-cost, high throughput process readily adaptable to automation. a