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Product Briefing Outline: The new 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG XL Laminating Line is designed to provide a fully-automated high volume lamination process of solar modules at highest speed: cycle times can be reduced up to 40%, according to the company. The system has a total capacity of up to 34 modules per hour which equals an annual capacity of up to 60MWp. It combines two vacuum chambers with the patented hybrid heating plate of the 3S Laminator S3622 with a cooling press. The two vacuum chambers are separately controlled in terms of evacuation, ventilation and heating. The system can handle both c-Si and thin film sizes.

Problem: Lamination is the process that molds the sandwich of the different photovoltaic module materials with adhesive foils (encapsulation material) together under heat and pressure to create a seal. Conventional heating elements create a wide range of temperature differences and hot spots that result in inconsistent sealing. High volume applications require greater levels of temperature homogeneity with maximum temperature difference on the heating plate: absolute 2°C.

Solution: The patented Hybrid Heating Plate of 3S Swiss Solar Systems combines the advantages of both electrical and oil heating techniques that generates higher temperature homogeneity, boosting yields and throughput. The heating system has 40 electrical rod elements with 2kW each. Heat carrier oil transmits the heat from the rod elements to the heating plate at high speed allowing very short heating times, however it retains maximum temperature difference of 2°C absolute. After lamination the cooling press permits controlled cooling of the modules. 3S technology shortens the time between lamination and post processing, as well as it reduces interior stress in the module.

Applications: Most common c-Si and thin-film module sizes.

Platform: Heating plate with a size of 3.6 to 2.2 metres. Output range up to 60MW.

Availability: Currently available.