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Solarwatt has ordered a new automated turnkey production system for manufacturing crystalline-silicon solar modules from Kuka Systems. The line, which will occupy a production area of 3,800 m² in Solarwatt's factory near Dresden, will increase the company's production capacity by 150 MW when it comes online in the first half of 2010.
Augsburg, Germany-based Kuka Systems designed and developed the new plant and is supplying the PV production equipment for the manufacturing line. The toolset includes automated modules for glass destacking and washing, film application, string layup and cross-soldering station, lamination, framing, performance testing, sorting, and packing.
The line also includes the complete conveyor equipment and control technology, as well as 29 Kuka industrial robots and the supplier's Robo Frame, Robo Trimm, and Robo Load automation systems.
In addition to supplying and installing the components, Kuka Systems will be responsible for the turnkey commissioning of the complete line, including the start of production. Once up and running, the module plant will operate in three shifts and produce a module every 28 seconds, according to Solarwatt CEO Frank Schneider.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
