At 303 watts, Meyer Burger has set a new photovoltaic record using a standard 60-cell solar module. A high level of process integration between the wafer, cell and module technologies made this developmental leap possible which will result significant reductions in production costs. The increased energy yield was achieved through the combination of innovative heterojunction cells with 21% efficiency and a very low temperature coefficient and with the revolutionary “SmartWire Connection” technology. The SGS Fresenius Institute has already IEC certified heterojunction modules with this new connection technology.
The record performance of the heterojunction (HJT) technology on 156 x156mm pseudo square cells is the result of the close cooperation between the Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) research centres in Germany and Switzerland. The high efficiency heterojunction solar cells were manufactured on the industrial facilities at the Roth & Rau solar technology centre under production conditions. They were then electrically connected using innovative soldering techniques at the Somont technology and competence centre. The high-efficiency modules were laminated with the durable and proven encapsulation technology from 3S Modultec. Roth & Rau, Somont and 3S Modultec are leaders in cell and module technology and are all members of the Meyer Burger Technology Group.
Lower temperature coefficient reaches thin film standards
Heterojunction cells have an extraordinarily good temperature coefficient with a value of just -0.18%/°C. This is another excellent record figure. Compared to standard cells which have a value of -0.43%/°C, a solar module with HJT cells from the Meyer Burger Group can achieve 10% more energy yield on average than regular cells. This results in a significant competitive advantage both for cell and module manufacturers and for end customers.
Diamond wire cut wafers as base substrate
For its HJT technology Meyer Burger is using a newly developed cutting process for the manufacture of the wafers which is opening new perspectives and expanding the potential to further reduce costs in all processes from wafers to cells to modules. Complemented by new measuring and material management technologies, process and fab control software is providing new and progressive manufacturing workflows which will change the market.
HJT measurement technology
High electrical cell capacity is a characteristic of high efficiency cells. As a result, conventional sun simulators cannot be used to measure the performance of the new generation of cells. Pasan’s DragonBack technology represents a completely new measurement method which can perform the extremely precise measurements required at the speed of line production to measure the performance of high efficiency and high capacity cells such as those produced using heterojunction technology. This new method of performance measurement puts Meyer Burger in possession of a further leading edge technology.
New connecting technologies
Innovative soldering technologies such as the trend-setting 5 busbar connection technology from Somont increase the performance of solar cells compared to those cells with only 3 busbars and offer a further advancement of Somont’s proven, mature Certus platform. Meyer Burger is also the only company in the world which offers the “SmartWire Connection” electrification technology for solar cells; a technology which has been proven in PV installations. The soldering process for this technology is carried out within the laminator. On traditional cells, the “SmartWire Connection” technology, with its lower series resistance, can increase performance by more than 1% absolute or by 7% relative. The revolutionary contact technology also considerably decreases the silver quantity required which can further significantly reduce the cost of production. The SGS Fresenius IEC Institute has certified heterojunction modules using this new connection technology and Meyer Burger’s laboratories have carried out multiple successful climate tests which comply with the certification.
High potential for cost reduction.
The record setting module is made up of 60 Cz-Si pseudo square 156mm2 cells with a performance efficiency of 21%. The Meyer Burger roadmap plans further increases in performance efficiency of up to 24% as well as a reduction in manufacturing costs for cells to under 0.10$/Wp by 2014. Further cost reductions can be achieved through the use of thinner wafers which heterojunction technology, in comparison to conventional technologies, can process without any loss of efficiency. Meyer Burger’s diamond wire saws can cut these thin wafers while achieving savings in materials and costs.
With its future oriented innovative technology, Meyer Burger provides the only correct response to the current situation in the photovoltaic market. As a system integrator from wafer to PV module, Meyer Burger is able to select and implement the optimal configuration for its customers from its product portfolio. Only in this way is it possible to combine the advantages of the individual production steps, to increase the overall performance of cells and modules and to achieve a sustainable reduction in the cost of solar energy.
The high efficiency modules with the differing connection technologies will be shown at the Meyer Burger stand (Hall 3, E2) at the upcoming EUPVSEC from 25 – 28th September in Frankfurt.
Additional information:
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
Ingrid Carstensen
Tel: +41 33 221 28 34
Email: ingrid.carstensen@meyerburger.com
Roth & Rau AG
Mario Schubert
Tel: +49 3723 671 3340
Email: mario.schubert@roth-rau.com
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
www.meyerburger.com
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd is a leading global technology group. With its innovative systems and production equipment, Meyer Burger creates sustainable added value for customers in photovoltaics (solar industry), in the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries as well as other selected industries which focus on semiconductor materials. The Group currently employs around 2,500 people across three continents. In its core business – photovoltaics – customers rely on comprehensive solutions and complementary technologies along the entire value chain including the manufacturing processes for wafers, solar cells, solar modules and solar systems.
The Group’s core competences encompass a broad range of production processes, machines and systems that are used for the production of ultra-thin, high quality wafers, for the inspection and measurement of solar cells, for laminating, soldering and testing of solar modules and for building-integrated solar systems. With the acquisition of Roth & Rau AG, with its cutting-edge products and technologies for the next generation of crystalline silicon solar cells, Meyer Burger Group is further expanding its market leadership along the entire photovoltaic value chain.
Meyer Burger Group is a full line system provider who covers all of the most important technology elements along the photovoltaic value chain from crystalline silicon to complete solar systems. A worldwide service network including spare parts, consumables, re-grooving services, process know-how, customer support, after-sales services, training and other services completes the comprehensive product portfolio. 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, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan and the USA. The company relies on selected independent agents in other important markets. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
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This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”, such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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