Devices and methods for transferring solar cells while maintaining a controlled environment are provided. Such devices can include a solar cell carrying pod adapted to support and maintain a stack of solar cells within a sealed micro-environment of inert gas. The solar cell carrying pod can further allow for ready removal of a solar cell carrier to facilitate automated transport of solar cells. The solar cell carrying pod can include a cover adapted to receive a solar cell carrier cassette securely mounted on a base that is sealably coupled with the cover to maintain solar cells within the carrier cassette in a sealed micro-environment for an extended period of time. The base can include a collet-operated gear train to facilitate unlocking and removal of the base from the cover in an automated process to facilitate large-scale solar cell fabrication.
