Faster Encapsulation
Collaboration between DuPont and Bürkle Doubles Module Output
DuPont Photovoltaic Encapsulants and Bürkle North America, Inc. have cooperated in speeding up module lamination. Using new DuPont PV5400 Series encapsulant, an Ypsator laminator can produce up to twice as many glass/glass solar modules per hour as traditional laminators. more...
Event: Manufacturing Excellence
Semi Europe to Hold 6th PV Fab Managers Forum
On 26th and 27th of March Semi Europe will hold the 6th PV Fab Managers Forum in Berlin. The event is intended for suppliers and manufacturer to meet and discuss current challenges and future requirements of the PV industry. more...
Thin Film Coatings
Soleras and Bekaert Advanced Coatings to be Merged
Growth equity firm Element Partners announced that agreements have been signed for the acquisition of the Industrial Coatings Division of Bekaert and the acquisition of privately held Soleras Ltd. The two companies will be combinded to form a new business, named Soleras Advanced Coatings. more...
Linear drive technology with laser sensor system and safety engineering
Knowing User Demands
Effectively quality testing can be accomplished by well-conceived integration of quality control into the production process. In addition to testing expertise and the appropriate inspection technology, such a step also requires reliable and dynamic materials handling engineering. more...
Vacuum Pumps
Optimized for Solar Laminator Application
The GXS 450 and 750 series of dry vacuum pumps from Edwards has been optimized for solar laminator applications. The new GXS series delivers higher throughput and productivity, while at the same time, providing a lower cost of ownership. more...
EU PVSEC 2011: High Efficiency Module
Oerlikon Launches Module with 154 W and 10.8 % Efficiency
Oerlikon Solar has launched a new record-breaking module with 154 (peak) watts (W) of stabilized module output and 10.8% efficiency. According to the manufacturer, this represents an increase of 8% over the previous peak value. more...
Multifunctional and Cleanable Shipper
Decreased Cell Breakage
The new multifunction shipper is designed to provide photovoltaic wafer, cell, and module manufactures with decreased cell breakage, improved transportation efficiencies, lower warehouse and labor costs, and reduced waste. more...
Integrated Vacuum Pumping and Pollution Abatement
Small Floor Space Requirements for Exhaust Management
The Zenith exhaust management system integrates vacuum pumping and pollution abatement into a single system. more...
Backside Contacting of Thin-Film Solar Modules,
Backside Contacting: All Steps in One System
The ‚modu*contec‘ system fully automates backside contacting of thin-film solar modules, up to the junction box connection. more...
Robot-manufactured cells for the photovoltaic industry
Wafer Handling: Fast and Precise – With Due Care
Handling of thin silicon wafers before and after the wet bench is performed by robots. Here the requirements are clearly defined: the shortest possible cycle times with the lowest possible rate of breakage – a balancing act that can only be accomplished using automation at the very highest level. more...
Less maintenance and improved processes with an aluminium connection socket
Connection Socket: Thinking outside the box
A connection socket made of aluminium not only offers easier access from the front of the module, but also facilitates improvements in production processes and reduces maintenance costs. more...
Loading Systems for Raw Glass
Glass Cutter: Quick, Precise, with Low-maintenance Requirements
For the start of the production chain, Bystronic glass offers flexible loading systems for all common raw glass formats with individual stock dimensions which ensure a safe glass loading. more...
RFID chip Integration into the Laminate
Tracking and Tracing by RFID
RFID technology comes in the form of a small chip (RFID tag) which can be read by an RFID scanner. Future KPV modules will be fitted with an RFID chip, which is integrated into the laminate and therefore cannot be removed. more...
Inspection System
Standard Systems and Customized Solutions
With their high-resolution camera technology, Vinspecsolar systems reliably recognize defects including microcracks, inclusions, holes, corner and edge breakage, as well as grid line interruptions, paste marks, and color deviation flaws. more...
EVA Extrusion Line for Encapsulation Film
Encapsulation Film: Low Shrinkage
Encapsulation film produced on regular extrusion lines has naturally a shrinkage which effects not only the process of laminating but can result in destroyed wafers and therefore creating waste and thus increased production costs. more...
For Operation under Harsh Solar-Cell Production Conditions
Double Diaphragm Pumps for Harsh Demands
Highly resistant materials of construction and a solid-block design promising reliability and operational efficiency ensure that E-Series air-operated double diaphragm pumps withstand the harsh demands encountered in solar-cell manufacturing. more...
Restore the capacity
Reconditioning instead of recycling of damaged solar cells
To make the solar cell production more efficient and environmentally friendly a Norwegian company has developed a technology for reconditioning cells, that have been rejected based on electrical criteria and deemed unsuitable for manufacturing PV modules. more...
Orders rose by 18 percent
ABB Posts 43-Percent Net Income Hike
ABB’s second-quarter net income rose by 43-percent to $893 million amid strong industrial growth, higher earnings in the Power Systems division, and contributions from recent acquisitions, especially Baldor Electric. Revenues increased by 17 percent and orders by 18 percent from the second quarter of last year, with growth in both mature and emerging markets. more...
Half a Billion Euro Investment in Arnstadt
Bosch: New PV-Competence Center Inaugurated
Bosch Group has inaugurated its new photovoltaics center. Overall, the company has invested more than half a billion euros in this facility. In addition to the Solar Energy division‘s headquarters. more...
Junction Box
Two-piece Design to Simplify Fitting
Weidmüller designed its Photovoltaic Junction Box with IP65 protection and a max. rated current of 8.5 A solely for robot-based, fully automated production of photovoltaic modules. The junction box (1 000 V DC – IEC / 600 V DC – UL) is intended for operation in a temperature range from –40 to 85 °C and complies with the standard DIN V VDE V 0126–5:2008–05. more...
String Gripper
No Marks Left Behind
Vacuum specialist Schmalz offers the string gripper series for manual handling (SSG-M) or automated handling (SSG-A). To meet the high process requirements of these applications, both variants are compact gripper units comprising an aluminium profile with a vacuum line, switching technology, valve technology, and suction pads. more...