Meyer Burger awarded strategic contract for first high efficiency SmartWire Connection Technology production line in Europe
Hanplast and FreeVolt conclude Preferred Supplier contract with Meyer Burger as technology partner for the delivery and installation of the first fully integrated high efficiency SmartWire Connection Technology line in Poland.
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) announced today that it has successfully concluded a strategic Preferred Supplier contract for the delivery and installation of a fully integrated high efficiency SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT) line in Europe.
Following the announcement of their plans to jointly open a module production factory in Bydgoszcz Technology Park in Poland, Hanplast and FreeVolt concluded a contract with Meyer Burger for a SmartWire Connection Technology line with an annual production capacity of 80MW. Delivery of the systems by Meyer Burger as well as the start of production by the customers is planned for the first half of 2015.
SmartWire Connection Technology
In comparison to conventional busbar cell technology, Meyer Burger’s SmartWire Connection technology delivers an increased energy benefit of up to 7% for solar cells following encapsulation in the module. This is made possible by a dense contact matrix of up to 2,660 contact points on the solar cell. In contrast to standard busbar technology where each finger routes the electrical currents to a busbar, the SWCT connects the all fingers together directly on the surface of the cell. The fingers are electrically connected in a close grid which even prevents micro cracks and cell breaks from negatively impacting cell performance. The result is an increased yield of around 1% in module production.
Through the elimination of the busbars in SmartWire Connection technology, up to 80% less silver is used in the production of the cells. The significantly reduced use of silver in combination with the thinner fingers on the cells results in a reduction in production costs of as much as 7 USD per module. SWCT is compatible to all silicon cell technologies and can also be used in the next generation of finger metallisation technology.
Addiitional information:
Werner Buchholz
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 (0)33 221 25 06
werner.buchholz@meyerburger.com
Ingrid Carstensen
Corporate Communications
Tel +41 (0)33 221 28 34
ingrid.carstensen@meyerburger.com
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
http://www.meyerburger.com/
Meyer Burger is a leading global technology Group specialising on innovative systems and processes based on semiconductor technologies. The Group’s focus is on photovoltaics (solar industry) while its competencies and technologies also cover important areas of the semiconductor and the optoelectronic industries as well as other selected high-end markets based on semiconductor materials. The Group currently employs more than 1,700 people across three continents. Over the past ten years, Meyer Burger has risen to the forefront of the photovoltaic market and established itself as an international premium brand by offering superior precision products and innovative technologies.
The Group’s offering in systems, production equipment and services along the photovoltaic value chain includes the manufacturing processes for wafers, solar cells, solar modules and solar systems. Meyer Burger provides substantial added value to its customers and clearly differentiates itself from its competitors by focusing on the entire value chain.
The Group’s comprehensive product portfolio is complemented by a worldwide service network with spare parts, consumables, process know-how, customer support, after-sales services, training and other services. Meyer Burger Group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets and has subsidiaries and own service centres in China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA. The Group is also working intensively to develop new markets such as South America, Africa and the Arab region. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
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