Bystronic’s photovoltaic-TPA system offers continuous encapsulation and sealing of thin-film modules

  •   Dosing pumps are claimed to apply the material accurately to a tenth of a millimetre.
    Dosing pumps are claimed to apply the material accurately to a tenth of a millimetre.

The photovoltaic-TPA (Thermo Plastic Applicator) from Bystronic glass group is a machine designed for the encapsulation and sealing of thin-film PV modules. The machine is claimed to be the first machine of this type that is capable of working in 24-hour operation without any interruption.

Problem

While the use of the conventional butyl sealant stripes from a reel is permanently linked with production interruptions when the material reel needs to be changed, high-viscous butyl dispensing provides for continuous production and lower energy usage when compared to traditional lamination processes.

Solution

The photovoltaic-TPA (Thermo Plastic Applicator) is a machine for the efficient encapsulating and sealing of photovoltaic modules. It precisely applies high-viscous butyl on semiconductor thin-film substrates. Two high-performance pumps ensure that the viscous sealing material is always available. The dosing pumps are claimed to apply the material accurately to a tenth of a millimetre. Depending on the film thickness, the application thickness of the butyl varies between 0.5 to 1mm. In contrast to conventional lamination, this encapsulating method uses considerably less energy as it operates without any heating or cooling. Depending on the module size, the cycle times are approximately 30 to 45 seconds.  

Applications

Cadmium-telluride (CaTe), copper-indium-diselenide (CIS), copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS), microcrystalline silicon (µSi) or amorphous silicon (aSi) modules.

Platform

The machine is available in both horizontal and vertical options. Integration into complete back-end lines and existing plants is possible. Thanks to a dual-drum pump system, the machine is able to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The machine can be included at the planning stages for newly designed plants, but can also be integrated into existing systems.

Availability

Currently available.

Post a Comment

Post

Newsletter

Preview Latest Subscribe
We won't share your details - promise!

Publications

  • Photovoltaics International 16th Edition

    Photovoltaics International 16th Edition

    This sixteenth edition of Photovoltaics International marks four years of production of the quarterly journal. As always, our focus is on efficiency and quality improvement and cost reduction in manufacturing. As 2012 rolls along, companies are falling by the wayside due to supply and demand issues, ASP declines and drastic governmental subsidy cuts. A clear picture of 2012 is offered through papers from the likes of TÜV Rheinland, Fraunhofer ISE, SEMI PV Group and EPIA, amongst others.

  • Photovoltaics International Lite, Volume 05 - 2011

    Photovoltaics International Lite, Volume 05 - 2011

    This digital interactive Lite sees Tom Cheyney follow Agua Caliente’s progress on becoming one of first truly utility-scale PV power farms, where 40–50MW (AC) will be commissioned by the end of the year. We also feature one of the world’s largest silicon thin-film PV power plants, Avenal; a report on warnings of the collapse of module prices from Solarbuzz and PI-Berlin presents tips on PV module testing. A print version of this edition will be distributed at Solar Power International 2011 in Dallas, Texas.

  • Manufacturing The Solar Future: The 2012 Production Annual

    Manufacturing The Solar Future: The 2012 Production Annual

    Manufacturing the Solar Future 2012, the second in the Photovoltaics International PV Production Annual series, delivers the next installment of in-depth technical manufacturing information on PV production processes.

Partners

Acknowledgements

Solar Media